By Admin 
Amidst the increasing tension in the South China Sea, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has said that America will provide such technologies and equipment to its allied countries with the help of which they can jointly counter China’s ‘aggressive activities’. In multilateral meetings held in Kuala Lumpur, he accused China of spreading instability in the South China Sea and said that Washington will not leave its partners alone.
America targets China’s action in South China Sea
Hegseth told the defense ministers of ASEAN countries that China has not respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries and its policies are challenging the stability of the region. He said, ‘You feel the dangers of China’s aggression in the South China Sea and other areas every day. We must enhance our joint capabilities and develop technical cooperation for better monitoring of maritime activities, so that no country is left alone. He also said that America is capable of increasing innovation and technology rapidly and it wants to share these with its partners.
Concern increases over deployment of Chinese coast guard
Hegseth’s comments came at a time when the armies of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and the US conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea. China described this action as ‘against regional peace and stability’. China claims almost the entire area of the South China Sea, which borders the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. China has deployed a huge fleet of coast guard ships in the sea, which have clashed several times with ships of Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.
However, China says that its action is defensive and its coast guard is working professionally. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Friday that China and ASEAN should maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by ‘uniting the Eastern Power’.
Tension increased after Trump’s nuclear test comment
Hegseth’s visit came at a time when President Donald Trump said on social media that he has directed the US military to ‘begin testing our nuclear weapons’. This directive is being seen as a signal for nuclear testing after 33 years, although it is not clear whether Trump meant nuclear blast testing or testing of nuclear-capable missiles. When Hegseth was asked about this, he said that the Defense Department would provide clarification soon, but ‘it is prudent to test a capable nuclear force.’
Indication of strengthening alliance in Indo-Pacific
Hegseth said that America is a supporter of peace but China’s activities should be closely monitored. He said that Washington is committed to creating such an army in the Indo-Pacific region that no one can compete with at the global level. He further said that dialogue with China is important and the talks with his Chinese counterpart were useful, but also warned that Beijing’s activities will have to be constantly monitored. “We do not want conflict, we want peace,” he told ASEAN defense ministers. But we have to ensure that China cannot establish its dominance over you or anyone else.