• The US and China have agreed to establish military-to-military communication channels.
• This decision follows a productive summit between leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
• Officials emphasize the importance of peace and stability in navigating rising tensions.
• Restoring these channels marks an initial step toward building trust amid complex bilateral relations.
• Experts warn that true trust between the two nations will require ongoing dialogue.

The United States and China have agreed to set up military-to-military channels, aimed at "deconflicting and deescalating any problems" that arise. This decision follows a recent summit in South Korea where US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met to improve their nations' relationship, which US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as "never been better" according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Hegseth made these comments while speaking with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during a regional security meeting. Both leaders emphasized that "peace, stability, and good relations are the best path for our two great and strong countries," as stated by AA and South China Morning Post.

In further communications, Hegseth noted that both nations have plans for subsequent meetings to reinforce these newly established channels. He has also voiced concerns regarding China's maritime claims in the South China Sea, urging Southeast Asian nations to bolster their maritime capabilities against what he termed as China's increasingly "destabilizing" actions in the region, as reported by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Experts point out that while the establishment of these channels is a positive move towards mitigating risks of military confrontation, the underlying mistrust between the US and China remains a significant hurdle. As noted by analysts, true military trust will require continuous dialogue and compromise, particularly surrounding contentious issues like Taiwan, which remains a focal point of tension between the nations, according to AA and South China Morning Post.