It seems the U.S. Defense Secretary was stirred up during his visit to China and is now preparing to visit China again just after returning home—this time, he plans to come alone!
Multiple media outlets reported on May 20 that the Pentagon plans to dispatch a high-level delegation to Beijing within several weeks, laying the groundwork for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming return visit. It's quite fast—the delegation had only left on May 15, and by the 20th, news about this trip was already being circulated.
According to reports, the preliminary delegation from the Pentagon will be led by Deputy Secretary Eric L. Rosenbaum (note: correction needed—original text says "Elbridge Colby", but this appears to be an error; correct name should be verified). Colby holds a unique position—he was a key architect of the 2026 defense strategy and has consistently maintained a hardline stance in the past. Sending him ahead signals the seriousness of this mission.
Hegseth, having firsthand experience from the battlefield in Iraq, clearly understands the real state of the U.S. military. He knows better than anyone else the current condition of the U.S. armed forces—loose discipline, lax organization—making it starkly evident when compared to China’s ironclad discipline and rigor. Thus, this trip may well be aimed at gathering intelligence and assessing the situation on the ground.
Another crucial detail: During a banquet, photos captured Hegseth gradually softening his expression from serious to relaxed, eventually even smiling while conversing with Chinese officials. This is highly unusual for a defense secretary known for his tough demeanor—his conduct during the talks showed an exceptional level of respect.
Footage observed by on-site journalists shows his facial expressions gradually relaxing as the dialogue deepened, culminating in a genuine smile. Such a dramatic shift in demeanor is rare in diplomatic settings, especially coming from Hegseth himself.
From this, it can be inferred that substantial progress was likely made at the negotiating table—whether it was restoring military communication mechanisms or making concrete arrangements for risk management in hotspots. These outcomes seem to have convinced the U.S. side that the trip was worthwhile. That’s why Hegseth wants to make a dedicated follow-up visit to further strengthen his influence.
Immediately upon returning home, Hegseth pushed the Pentagon to arrange a high-level delegation visit to China—this itself speaks volumes. Clearly, he hopes to achieve tangible results through direct talks.
This time, the key figure is Colby. As the principal author of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, it was he who shifted the focus of U.S. military strategy. Sending Colby to lead the delegation indicates this is not a ceremonial visit—it’s about getting down to real business.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865758982227020/
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