President Donald Trump's state visit to China has drawn attention due to the unusual presence of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
On May 14, the South China Morning Post reported that this marks the first time a U.S. president has visited China with the defense secretary since former President Richard Nixon's historic trip in 1972, 54 years ago.
It has also been nearly eight years since a U.S. defense secretary visited China, with the last instance being former Secretary of Defense James Mattis's trip in June 2018 during Trump's first term.
The SCMP noted, "The unusual inclusion of the defense secretary indicates a willingness from both the U.S. and China to enhance military communication for de-escalation and crisis management." The summit is expected to address issues such as nuclear weapons, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, and the restoration and expansion of military-to-military communication channels.
With Hegseth's attendance, it is anticipated that at least Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe will also participate in the summit. During Trump's first visit to China in 2017, the only high-ranking military official present was Li Zuocheng, then the chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
As U.S.-China competition extends beyond economic realms into technology and national security, analysts suggest that the relationship has entered a phase of "technological security competition." The lines between commercial and military applications in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and satellite technology are increasingly blurred, highlighting the need for closer military communication.
Jupeng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, emphasized in the Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao, "U.S.-China relations are not limited to trade and economics. It is crucial for both militaries to resume institutionalized high-level communication to stabilize relations and prevent conflicts." He added, "As AI applications expand in military equipment and operations, and with international security norms and governance rules still not adequately established, regular consultations and exchanges between the two militaries could present significant opportunities for both sides."
There are also interpretations suggesting that Trump is mindful of domestic political messaging. The Nordic-based Chinese media outlet, Boku Shibo, analyzed that Trump aims to project a tough image to U.S. voters, asserting that he will not back down on security issues.
In addition to Hegseth, Trump's delegation includes key figures from diplomacy, security, and economic sectors, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Vessen, and USTR Representative Jamieson Greer. Lianhe Zaobao reported that this meeting is designed as a high-level strategic communication session that clearly demands practical cooperation.
Wang Dong, a professor at Peking University's School of International Relations, noted, "The U.S. perceives this visit as a comprehensive high-level strategic communication encompassing politics, security, and economics, with economic and trade cooperation, market, and industrial issues expected to be core agenda items, aiming for tangible cooperation outcomes."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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