At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on May 31, 2025, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, issued a stark warning regarding China’s military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that China is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power," underscoring the urgency of the threat.
Hegseth highlighted that Beijing aims to "dominate and control" Asia, with China’s military reportedly engaging in daily training exercises and rehearsals that suggest preparation for a possible invasion of Taiwan. Addressing the forum, he called on the United States' allies and partners across Asia to significantly increase their defense spending to counter this growing threat.
He also referenced enhanced military cooperation with regional allies such as Japan, the Philippines, and India, indicating that the US is "reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China." Stressing the importance of collective security, Hegseth urged Asian nations to consider the example set by European NATO members, like Germany, who have committed to increasing defense budgets closer to five percent of GDP.
“Deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap,” Hegseth remarked, signaling that robust investment in military capabilities is critical to maintaining regional stability against potential Chinese aggression.
