In a sign of the US’s dilemma over how exactly to treat China, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth went from urging ASEAN members to counter China’s aggression to saying that US-China ties have “never been better” within a matter of hours on Saturday (November 1).

Speaking at a meeting in Malaysia with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Hegseth reiterated US concerns over what he called China’s aggression in the disputed waters, citing incidents such as the ramming of vessels and the use of water cannons.

The volatile South China Sea

He warned that Beijing’s provocative behaviour threatened the sovereignty of its neighbours and regional stability.

“China’s sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea fly in the face of their commi

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