US and China Agree to Establish Direct Military Communication Channels

The United States and China have agreed to establish direct military-to-military communication channels, a move aimed at de-escalating tensions and preventing miscalculation in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement was announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Hegseth said on Saturday, November 1, 2025, that he and Admiral Dong “agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise.” He added that “more meetings on that coming soon.”
This critical military diplomacy followed a major trade truce agreed to by President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea earlier in the week. The White House released a fact sheet on November 1, confirming a “trade and economic deal” that includes a halt to new tariffs, a suspension of Chinese rare-earth export controls, and a resumption of Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products.
The agreement to open military hotlines is the first major de-escalation between the two powers since a period of heightened tensions in the South China Sea. The move is particularly significant as it comes just hours after Secretary Hegseth had sharply criticized Beijing’s “destabilizing” actions in the region, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to its allies.
Despite the new agreement, deep disagreements remain. During the meeting, Hegseth raised U.S. concerns over China’s military activities around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. In response, Admiral Dong reiterated China’s position on Taiwan, urging the U.S. to be “cautious” and “firmly oppose Taiwan independence.”