US and China Reopen Military Channels to Avoid Direct Conflict After Trump-Xi Summit

After a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, both countries moved to reopen direct military-to-military channels to prevent conflicts and reduce tensions.

“Move comes after Trump-Xi summit yields progress on trade war and pledges to calm tensions”

Al Jazeera

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the step after talks with China’s Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Malaysia, describing channels designed to “deconflict and de-escalate” and stressing peace, stability and good relations.

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets link the move to restoring contacts that lapsed after China suspended military dialogue in 2022 following Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, and frame the channels as a critical guardrail amid South China Sea and Taiwan Strait risks.

The reopening comes after years of strained military dialogue.

Some sources note that over 90 communication links went dormant during Trump’s first term.

Asianet Newsable

China severed the remaining ties in 2022 after Pelosi’s Taiwan trip.

Engagement began to improve after a Biden–Xi meeting in 2023.

The latest Busan summit is presented as a breakthrough.

This summit was backed by working-level talks in Malaysia/Kuala Lumpur where Hegseth met Admiral Dong Jun.

Accounts differ on whether to foreground the Busan leaders’ summit or the ASEAN defense-track meetings.

However, the through-line is renewed contact under a shared pledge of peace and stability.

Several outlets say the security channel reopening was reinforced by trade and economic steps.

“East Asia Pete Hegseth's remarks came just hours after the US defence chief urged Southeast Asian nations to stand firm and strengthen their maritime forces to counter China’s increasingly “destabilising” actions in the South China Sea”

CNA

Reports describe tariff pauses and market openings, Chinese commitments on rare earth supplies, and new U.S. farm exports.

Financial Express details the suspension of retaliatory measures and removal of export controls on rare earth elements.

News18 reports immediate, large Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans as a positive gesture.

Other accounts point to reduced U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and commitments to rare earths, but also stress unresolved issues like TikTok and Nvidia chips.

One report even cites reducing fentanyl-related tariffs.

Security dynamics remain complex.

Even as Washington and Beijing revive channels to deconflict and de-escalate, Hegseth urged Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their maritime forces against China’s destabilising actions and criticized China’s extensive claims.

financialexpress

Parallel to the bilateral reset, U.S. officials consulted allies from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines on enhanced deterrence and readiness in the South China Sea.

Other reports emphasize a cooperative posture built on peace through strength, mutual respect, and positive relations, while underlining that the U.S. will firmly defend its interests.

Looking ahead, outlets suggest more implementation meetings are planned.

“Fox News senior national correspondent Aishah Hasnie reports on the key topics not discussed in the Trump-Xi meeting and the details in the soybean deal signed on ‘Special Report”

Fox News

There is divergence on diplomatic optics and timelines among different sources.

Fox News

Fox News reports that further meetings to implement the channels are scheduled.

MercoPress states that Trump called the relationship a “G2” and plans an April visit to China.

MercoPress also notes Beijing’s preference for multilateral management.

Al Jazeera describes the channels as a critical step and mentions reciprocal visits.

Samaa TV places those reciprocal visits in 2026.

West Asian coverage, such as TRT World, frames the Busan session as a foundation for lasting peace and success.