The defence chiefs of the United States and Malaysia on Thursday reaffirmed their shared commitment to maritime security in the South China Sea, as the region faces growing strategic pressures from China’s expanding presence.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, where the two countries moved to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
During the talks, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, renewed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, and agreed to finalise additional pacts on communications, information sharing, and geospatial cooperation, according to a joint statement.
“We share the pursuit of an open and free South China Sea and Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth said, stressing that Washington’s partnerships in the region underscore that “‘America First’ does not mean America alone.”
Khaled expressed confidence that Malaysia and the US could work together across multiple defence fields.
Maritime security featured prominently in the discussions. Both sides agreed that the South China Sea is a vital trade corridor where respect for sovereignty must be upheld. The Malaysian side highlighted concerns over “grey-zone tactics”, including hydrographic surveys conducted under the escort of foreign coast guard vessels, in a reference to China’s activities.
The two leaders emphasized the need for improved communication channels to avoid military miscalculation, while also enhancing modernization and interoperability to maintain readiness.
Hegseth’s Malaysia visit is part of a broader regional tour that includes stops in Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea, where he will hold high-level defence talks and visit the Demilitarized Zone.
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