Ambassador Xie, Major General Liu, distinguished guests, and members of the diplomatic and defense corps:
Good evening.
Thank you for the invitation to speak tonight as you mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.
I want to begin with the strategic vision set by my leadership earlier this year. We seek a decent peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China.
And today, the U.S.-China military relationship is stronger than it has been in years. Under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, we are actively repairing a once-broken military-to-military channel and making clear, steady progress — as shown by my attendance here today.
The Department has embraced a new approach to our military relationship — one built on candid, respectful, and clear conversations with genuine interest in de-escalation, while continuing to advance our nation's priorities.
This is how two powerful militaries should engage, and over the last year and a half, we made this a reality.
In the Department of War, we view the world as it is — not how we wish it to be. Our approach is one of flexible, practical realism that looks at the world with a clear-eyed perspective essential for advancing our vital national interests.
As Secretary Hegseth noted in Singapore earlier this year, nowhere is this clarity more important than the Pacific — a region with profound implications for American security and prosperity.
It is for this reason that our national defense strategy provides clear direction to the Department of War to set the military conditions required to achieve a lasting and favorable balance of power in the region.
A region that, as a Pacific power, we cannot simply walk away from. This is why we remain committed to working alongside our regional allies and partners to defend U.S. interests.
And as we pursue and defend our interests, I would reiterate that we do not seek conflict with China. We recognize that maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication reduces the risk of misperception, prevents miscalculation, and increases mutual understanding.
These exchanges serve as a credible channel for crisis prevention, and we want this communication to endure, regardless of broader strategic dynamics.
Over the last eighteen months, our professional engagements between defense establishments have become more productive.
This progress is made possible because of the exchanges through our Defense Attaché offices and regular senior-level dialogues, including my frequent meetings with Major General Liu and my annual engagements with Major General Ye Jiang at OIMC.
Their genuine commitment to executing our leaders' shared vision has been vital to maintaining positive momentum, and I am grateful to have them as close partners as we forge a new approach.
Our senior leadership exchanges further reinforce this path, including discussions between Secretary Hegseth and Admiral Dong, as well as Under Secretary Colby's meetings with Ambassador Xie and Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma.
It provides vital opportunities to share perspectives, deliver candid messages, and repair a once-broken mil-to-mil channel.
I look forward to continuing to build on this candid and respectful communication.
On behalf of Secretary Hegseth, Under Secretary Colby, and Assistant Secretary Noh, thank you for this opportunity to articulate our approach to U.S.-China defense relations, and for the progress we have forged together.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.