From THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM of Klang.

Under the bright sunlight of Jeddah, red Chinese knots swayed in the breeze, national flags fluttered, and the melodic notes of the guzheng filled the auditorium at King Abdulaziz University (KAU).

While playing up the U.S.'s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, Hegseth took swipes at the absence of China's ...