Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joining President Donald Trump on the Beijing trip is being viewed as a signal that Washington and Beijing want stronger military communication channels to avoid future crises, according to analysts cited in the report.
Experts said the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could include discussions on Taiwan, nuclear weapons, military hotlines and crisis management. Chinese officials are also expected to involve Defense Minister Dong Jun in the talks.
US lawmakers grill Hegseth on Trump's China trip and Indo-Pacific allies' fears
— NationPress (@np_nationpress) May 13, 2026
US lawmakers grilled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Trump's upcoming China trip on 13 May, warning that Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines are watching Washington's reso…… pic.twitter.com/fsnlp8iYqK
According to analysts, both sides are seeking ways to prevent accidental military confrontations in flashpoints such as the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. The report said restoring suspended military-to-military communication mechanisms could become a priority.
Taiwan and U.S. arms sales to the island are also expected to remain major issues. Some experts suggested Washington could consider slowing future arms deliveries if talks proceed smoothly, though no formal agreement is expected.
Analysts added that nuclear security dialogue may also return to the table, even if major breakthroughs remain unlikely.
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