Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Warns of Imminent China 'Threat', Urges Asian Allies to Increase Defence Spending
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that China poses a real and potentially imminent threat, urging Indo-Pacific allies to boost their defense budgets during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
On May 31, during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed concerns about regional security in the Indo-Pacific. Hegseth stated that China represents a real and potentially imminent threat to the region. He called on US allies in the Indo-Pacific to increase their defense spending as a means of strengthening collective security. The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual forum that brings together defense ministers and officials from Asia, Europe, and North America to discuss security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. Hegseth's remarks reflect ongoing US concerns about China's growing military capabilities and assertiveness in the region, particularly in areas such as the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. The United States has consistently encouraged its regional partners to enhance their defense budgets and cooperation to deter potential security risks.