Overview
- At the ADMM‑Plus meetings in Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. defense chief called for a common operating picture to boost maritime domain awareness across the South China Sea.
- He offered to share U.S. capabilities, including a joint initiative on aerial and undersea drones, to expand surveillance at lower cost and risk for regional partners.
- Citing recent confrontations, he condemned Chinese vessels for ramming and using water cannons and criticized sweeping claims that he said violate peaceful dispute commitments.
- He met Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and voiced serious concerns over activity near Taiwan and across the South China Sea, reiterating that the United States does not seek conflict.
- He welcomed an ASEAN–U.S. maritime exercise scheduled for December to strengthen interoperability and reinforce freedom of navigation and sovereign rights.