US Defense Secretary warns of Chinese plans to use military force to shift the balance of power in Asia and prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Saturday that China is confidently preparing for the potential use of military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hegseth made the comments while participating in an annual security forum in Singapore, calling on US allies in Asia to increase their defense spending.
“The threat posed by China is real and potentially imminent,” Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum, adding that Beijing hopes to dominate and control Asia.
He added that the Chinese military is building its capabilities to invade Taiwan, and is training daily for the real mission.
Hegseth pointed to strengthening cooperation with his country’s allies, including Japan and the Philippines, and deepening military partnership with India, saying that the United States is reorienting itself to deter aggression from communist China.
He urged Washington’s allies and partners in the region to increase spending on their militaries in the face of the Chinese threat.
“It’s hard to believe I’m saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to countries in Europe as a new example,” Hegseth said, citing NATO member states, including Germany, moving toward US President Donald Trump’s 5% of GDP spending target.
