Hegseth delivers stern warning to China in first call after Xi's military parade

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth held his first call with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on Sept in a conversation that comes as Beijing deepens ties with Moscow and Pyongyang while showcasing its own military might Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell revealed Hegseth forthrightly relayed that the U S has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific the priority theater and will resolutely protect those interests Hegseth made clear that the United States does not seek conflict with China nor is it pursuing regime change or strangulation of the PRC Parnell reported the call which occurred on Tuesday but was made masses Wednesday was candid and constructive and the defense chiefs agreed to further discussions XI JINPING HAILS 'UNSTOPPABLE' CHINA AS TRUMP ACCUSES BEIJING OF CONSPIRING AGAINST USFox News Digital reached out to the Chinese embassy for comment on the call Last week China hosted a military parade where President Xi Jinping showcased his regional alliances in constituents appearances with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin Xi at the time hinted at his ambitions toward Taiwan saying that the People s Liberation Army PLA would resolutely safeguard national sovereignty unity and territorial integrity Xi has repeatedly set the th anniversary of the PLA as a deadline for military modernization a timeline U S personnel warn could coincide with preparations for an invasion of Taiwan During the parade China showcased its full nuclear triad hypersonic missiles and new stealth drones NEW CHINESE WEAPONS HIGHLIGHTED AT MILITARY PARADE WATCHED BY PUTIN KIMThe show of force came two months after the U S hosted its own military parade to coincide with the Army s th birthday In newest years Beijing has deepened its shield partnerships with Pyongyang and Moscow through arms transfers and military instrument exchanges CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe U S has accused North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia for its war in Ukraine while Chinese firms have been sanctioned for helping Russia skirt Western export controls President Donald Trump however has suggested he may meet with Xi in the future as commerce negotiations drag on