Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday to adopt a firmer stance in countering China’s increasingly “destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea. Speaking during the ASEAN-U.S. Defense Ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Hegseth emphasized the need for Southeast Asian nations to bolster their maritime forces and strengthen regional cooperation to ensure security and protect territorial sovereignty.

Rising Tensions in the South China Sea

The South China Sea remains one of Asia’s most volatile geopolitical hotspots. China asserts near-total claims over the region, while several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, contest parts of these maritime and coastal territories. In recent months, tensions have escalated, with reports of Chinese vessels ramming other ships and the use of water cannons against foreign vessels, raising concerns over freedom of navigation and regional stability.

Hegseth specifically criticized Beijing’s recent declaration of Scarborough Shoal—seized from the Philippines in 2012—as a “nature reserve.” He noted that China’s construction of military platforms and installations on the uninhabited shoal was a coercive attempt to expand territorial claims.

“You don’t put platforms on nature reserves,” Hegseth said, adding that such moves threaten the territorial sovereignty of Southeast Asian nations.

Strengthening ASEAN Maritime Cooperation

Hegseth urged ASEAN countries to expedite the finalization of a Code of Conduct with China, aimed at governing maritime behavior and preventing conflicts at sea. He also stressed the importance of enhancing joint surveillance, rapid-response capabilities, and shared maritime domain awareness, enabling all member states to respond collectively if any nation faces aggression or provocation.

He welcomed plans for an ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise scheduled for December, which will improve interoperability among participating forces and reinforce principles of freedom of navigation and sovereign rights in the region. The drills will feature anti-submarine warfare simulations, air operations, replenishment exercises at sea, and communication drills.

China’s Response

China has rejected U.S. criticism, accusing Washington of interfering in regional affairs and provoking tensions through its military presence. Chinese officials maintain that their patrols and construction activities are lawful measures aimed at protecting what they consider Chinese territory.

In reaction to recent naval exercises by the Philippines alongside the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, the Chinese military labeled Manila as a “troublemaker,” arguing that such joint drills undermine regional peace and stability.

Strategic Importance of ASEAN-U.S. Cooperation

As the South China Sea sees intensified competition for strategic control, U.S. and ASEAN cooperation is critical in deterring coercion and safeguarding maritime routes crucial for international trade and energy transport. Analysts say that enhanced maritime security partnerships and joint defense initiatives can prevent unilateral actions that escalate tensions in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

Hegseth concluded by emphasizing that while the U.S. seeks peaceful resolutions, it will closely monitor Chinese activities and support ASEAN nations in defending their sovereignty.