US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning on Saturday. He said China is “credibly preparing to potentially use military force” to shift the power balance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth Speaks at Major Security Forum

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth urged America’s Asian allies to boost their military budgets. He stated, “The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent.” Moreover, he accused China of seeking to “dominate and control” the entire region.

China Increasing Military Activity

According to Hegseth, Beijing is building up its military with serious intentions. In particular, he pointed out that Chinese forces are training every day to invade Taiwan. He said they are “rehearsing for the real deal.”

US Strengthens Regional Partnerships

Meanwhile, Hegseth noted that the United States is improving military ties with key countries. He mentioned Japan, the Philippines, and India. He emphasized, “The United States was reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China.”

Allies Urged to Increase Defense Spending

Furthermore, Hegseth called on Washington’s allies to invest more in their defense. He explained that stronger militaries in Asia would help resist Chinese aggression. “Deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap,” he said.

European Example Cited

Interestingly, Hegseth praised NATO countries for their recent efforts. “It’s hard to believe a little bit… that I’m saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example,” he said. He pointed to Germany and others aiming to reach Trump’s defense spending target of 5% of GDP.