US Defense Secretary and Indo-Pacific Commander may visit China

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo are reportedly considering upcoming visits to China. If Commander Paparo’s visit occurs, it would mark the first time a top US military commander for the Pacific region has visited China in approximately 11 years.

Stephen Olsins, chairman of the National Committee on US-China Relations, noted during a maritime cooperation forum in Hainan that these visits could help regularize communication between the two nations' military authorities. Such dialogue is viewed as essential to preventing accidental military clashes, particularly in the South China Sea, where the risk of unintended conflict is reportedly higher than in the Taiwan Strait.

Recent efforts to reduce military risks include an annual meeting of the Crisis Communication and Prevention Working Group held in Washington, D.C. While discussions regarding Hegseth’s visit have been ongoing for months, his schedule may be impacted by domestic political pressures following recent midterm election results.