US not seeking conflict with China, Pentagon chief Hegseth tells Chinese counterpart

WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made clear to his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, that the United States does not seek conflict with China and is not pursuing "regime change or strangulation," a Pentagon spokesman said on Wednesday.

In a call on Tuesday, Hegseth also told the Chinese defense minister that the United States would protect its vital interests in the Asia-Pacific, the spokesman said in a statement. It said the two agreed to additional discussions.