US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning to China at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, saying the United States is ready to “fight and win” if efforts to deter China fail. He said China is trying to change the balance of power in Asia by using military force, and urged US allies in the region to step up their defense spending and military coordination.
“We cannot look away,” Hegseth said. “China’s behavior is a wake-up call — and an urgent one.”
China Missing from the Dialogue
Hegseth also pointed out that China’s top defense officials were not present at the summit, calling their absence telling. “We are here this morning. Somebody else isn’t,” he said, in a clear jab at Beijing’s decision to send only lower-level representatives.
China has recently increased military activity around Taiwan and the South China Sea. Hegseth accused China of threatening regional peace and trying to intimidate its neighbors.
Preparing for Conflict in Taiwan
The US defense chief said China is “credibly preparing” to use military force against Taiwan and is “rehearsing for the real deal.” He mentioned that China has held several large-scale military drills around the island, which experts believe could be practice for a blockade or invasion.
Beijing has set 2027 as a target year to build the capability to take Taiwan by force, if necessary, though many see this as a goal rather than a firm deadline.
“The United States is reorienting its forces to deter aggression by communist China,” Hegseth said.
Indo-Pacific Is a Top Priority
Hegseth assured US allies that the Indo-Pacific is “America’s priority theatre.” He highlighted stronger ties with countries like Japan and the Philippines, which have both faced rising tensions with China over territorial disputes.
He said the US would increase its presence and efforts to counter China’s growing influence, including in regions closer to home like the Panama Canal. “We built that canal, not China. We will not allow them to weaponize or control it,” he stated.
Call for Greater Defense Spending
Calling for urgent action, Hegseth told US allies to boost their defense budgets. “Deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap,” he said, urging Asian countries to follow NATO’s example in Europe, where defense spending is rising in response to global threats.
Currently, Asian nations spend about 1.5% of their GDP on defense, a figure that has remained steady for a decade. Hegseth said this must increase to meet the region’s growing security challenges.
Tensions Rising Over Trade and Technology
Hegseth’s remarks came as US-China tensions grow not only over security but also trade and technology. President Trump recently accused China of breaking a temporary trade agreement, restarting fears of another round of tariffs.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade talks with China are “a bit stalled,” and suggested that the two nations’ leaders may need to intervene.
China Responds Critically
Chinese officials at the summit reacted strongly to Hegseth’s comments. Da Wei, a senior expert from Tsinghua University, called the speech “very confrontational,” accusing the US of double standards. Former Chinese military officer Zhou Bo insisted China wants peaceful reunification with Taiwan and that military drills do not mean an invasion is certain.
Still, China has continued to conduct patrols around disputed areas like the Scarborough Shoal, signaling it has no plans to reduce its regional military activities.
With rising tensions in Asia, Hegseth’s speech reflects a hardening US stance on China. His message was clear: the US is committed to defending its interests in the Indo-Pacific and expects its allies to do the same. As the region watches closely, the future of US-China relations remains uncertain — and potentially dangerous.
