On the morning of 31 October, the Defense Secretary General of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministry Expansion Conference was in Malaysia to hold a meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Hectoris. This was the first face-to-face exchange between senior Chinese and U.S. military officials during the second term of U.S. President Trump. Experts interviewed by the Global Times believe that the U.S. Prime Minister's meeting plays a strategic leading role in the interaction between the two countries in various fields, and the exchanges between the senior Chinese and U.S. military are welcomed by all parties, which is conducive to the restoration of strategic communication between the two armies and control of military risks.

At the invitation of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence of the rotating ASEAN Presidency, from October 30 to November 2, the General Army will travel to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Expansion Conference and the 15th China-ASEAN Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting.

According to the news released by the Ministry of National Defense on the 31st, Dong Jun said in his talks with Hegseth that the defense departments of the two countries should implement the consensus of the heads of state with practical actions, give full play to the demonstration and leading role of high-level strategic communication, strengthen policy-level communication to increase trust and dispel doubts, expand the benign interaction between frontline officers and men, encourage colleges, academia and strategic circles to help the two militaries explore the correct way to get along, and build equal, respectful, peaceful coexistence and stability.

On the same day, Hergersh said in a social media post, ¡°I will meet with the Chinese Defense Minister¡¯s Army at the time of the ASEAN Defense Minister¡¯s Expansion Conference. It was a good and constructive meeting.¡± he said, ¡°Today¡¯s meeting was held after a video call I will have with the Commander¡¯s Navy on September 9th. We will continue to discuss the important issues of each other¡¯s concerns with the Chinese People¡¯s Liberation Army.¡± According to previous media public reports, on the evening of September 9, the Commander¡¯s Army had agreed to a video call with Hergersh, and both sides issued a statement stating that the two sides had an honest and constructive exchange.

Reuters reported on October 31 that in the context of regional tensions and increasing military deployments, the talks between the Chinese and US defense ministers are the latest sign of gradual improvement in communication between the two sides.

Many experts interviewed by the Global Times said that this is a concrete action to implement the important consensus reached at the October 30 meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States in Busan. Li Haidong, a professor at the Foreign Affairs University, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times that the meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States plays a strategic leading role in interactions between the two countries in various fields."Currently, China and the United States have carried out regular communication in the diplomatic and economic fields. The high-level military talks held at this time indicate that exchanges between the two militaries are gradually on track. This kind of dialogue and exchange is something that all parties are happy to see."

A military expert told a reporter from the Global Times that it is very important for the Chinese and US militaries to maintain communication and enhance understanding in various fields."Especially at present, the holding of talks between the two defense ministers is of great practical significance to improving strategic mutual trust, avoiding strategic misjudgments, and enhancing the relationship between the two militaries. The two sides will also discuss matters such as the next step for the two militaries to implement the consensus reached at the Busan meeting between the two heads of state."

Another expert who studies China-U.S. military relations said the meeting released three signals: first, it is conducive to implementing the consensus between the two heads of state and promoting stability in China-U.S. military relations; second, it is conducive to strengthening strategic communication between the two armies and controlling military risks; third, it is conducive to stabilizing international strategic expectations and injecting certainty into world and regional peace.

It is worth noting that according to the photos published by Hegerseth on social media, the U.S. side participated in the talks with U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Papallo. According to the practice, the Chinese delegation should also include commanders from the southern battlefields and the head of the US-China battlefield with command of the South China Sea front operations forces to participate in the talks, also showed the importance of both sides in risk management.

During the talks, Xi Jinping stressed that the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Sea is an unstoppable historical trend.The United States must be cautious in the Taiwan issue, and clearly oppose "Taiwan independence".China is committed to peaceful development, while resolutely safeguarding national security interests, and has full power to respond to provocative acts of violation.It is hoped that the United States will implement its statement of not containing China and not seeking conflict into action, and inject positive energy with China for regional and world peace and security.

The above-mentioned unnamed China military expert said that during the talks, China's Defense Minister further clarified China's position and views on core interests, as well as the firm determination and strong will of the China People's Liberation Army to defend national interests and maintain world peace.

Zhuo Hua analyzed that Sino-US military exchanges must be based on equality and respect. The most direct manifestation of this principle is that the United States should not interfere in the Taiwan issue. The Taiwan issue is at the core of China's core interests. The United States should not engage in military deterrence and coercion against China under the banner of "seeking peace through strength." "Previously, the inconsistency between the United States 'words and deeds often caused trouble for China's strategic judgment on the United States. While the United States claimed that it did not seek to contain China, it often encouraged its allies to cause trouble in the South China Sea and other regions, stirring up the regional security situation, and shouted for balance of military power while constantly showing off force. This can easily lead to strategic misjudgments of the two militaries and risks getting out of control."

Xi Jinping further said that China has confidence in responding to changes in the security situation around the world, China is a firm defender of the post-war international order, China's strategic intention is always clear and clear, that is, firmly safeguarding the country's development interests.