US vows tech aid to ASEAN to counter Chinese 'destabilising acts'
US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth pledged tech support to ASEAN to counter China's "destabilising actions" in the South China Sea. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, he urged Southeast Asian nations to build a maritime domain awareness network and develop joint capabilities to respond swiftly to threats, emphasising US commitment to regional security and collaboration against Chinese aggression.