U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged NATO to take greater responsibility for European security as the U.S. shifts focus to deterring China. The Trump administration’s reassessment of global deployments could foreshadow a strategic pivot, but uncertainties remain over China’s military trajectory and the effectiveness of U.S. policy responses.

While the media has entirely focused on how the Shangri-La Dialogue in early June was another round of tug of war between U.S. and China, people don’t appreciate enough the significance of the 75-minute side meeting between Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The U.S. and China came halfway across the world to discuss their military-military relations, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.

At the recent international security gathering, China made clear that it opposes military hegemony — where a superpower seeks to settle disputes by force. China, by contrast is working to bring the international community together to shape a new order that is more just and reasonable.

Confrontations between the U.S. and China are being amplified by a lack of communication between the military leaders of both sides, even as officials from other national bureaus continue to meet. Without proper means to defuse situations, the risk for escalation runs even higher.

Amid the souring stew if China-U.S. relations, the growing distance between the countries’ armed forces stands out as particularly significant. A halt in military interactions indicates high tension. The good news is that the two both sides agree that engagement still counts.

Setting up a new joint secretariat could be key to keeping engagement between the world's leading economies on track.

The Shangri-La Dialogue underscored the importance of military-to-military relations as a stabilizing factor in China-U.S. relations. While they have been the most sensitive and closely watched aspect, they have also been one of the few bright spots.

There’s a long list of worthwhile possibilities in the military and security fields, and it’s of utmost importance that the two countries engage with one another. The result of failure could be catastrophic.

Joe Biden has promised to deliver a dramatic change from the former President’s ways, but a look at his actions in Asia show his administration may be picking up right where Trump left off.

While pursuing cautious containment, the U.S. will want to avoid major military frictions. Biden may re-emphasize the role of military exchanges with China, which will create opportunities for military dialogue and exchanges at all levels.