ISTANBUL

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that he agreed with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on the need to set up military-to-military channels.

"Admiral Dong and I also agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise. We have more meetings on that coming soon," Hegseth wrote on US social media platform X.

He noted that peace, stability and good relations are the "best path" for the two nations.

"As President Trump said, his historic 'G2 meeting' set the tone for everlasting peace and success for the U.S. and China. The Department of War will do the same — peace through strength, mutual respect, and positive relations," Hegseth added.

Dong and Hegseth met Friday in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, on the sidelines of a summit of defense chiefs of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN).

Hegseth also met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss increased deterrence and readiness in the South China Sea.

"We share an ongoing commitment to ensure peace and stability in the region and are resolute in our partnership to maintain peace through strength," he underscored on X.

US President Donald Trump also met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the South Korean port city of Busan on Thursday -- a meeting he dubbed “G2,” or the Group of Two.