(MENAFN) U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Saturday that Washington and Beijing have agreed to establish direct military communication channels, signaling a cautious step toward easing tensions between the two powers.

"Admiral Dong and I also agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise. We have more meetings on that coming soon," Hegseth wrote on the U.S. social media platform X.

The U.S. defense chief emphasized that peace and constructive ties remain the “best path” for both nations.

"As President Trump said, his historic 'G2 meeting' set the tone for everlasting peace and success for the U.S. and China. The Department of War will do the same — peace through strength, mutual respect, and positive relations," Hegseth added.

Hegseth’s meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun took place Friday in Kuala Lumpur, on the sidelines of a summit involving defense leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Pentagon chief also conferred separately with counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, focusing on bolstering deterrence and operational readiness in the contested South China Sea.

"We share an ongoing commitment to ensure peace and stability in the region and are resolute in our partnership to maintain peace through strength," Hegseth wrote on X following those discussions.

The announcement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s Thursday meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea — a session Trump described as the “G2” summit, underscoring what he called a new phase of great-power dialogue.

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