US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities are becoming a major concern for the Asia-Pacific region and urged American allies to increase defense spending and strengthen security preparedness.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth said maintaining the regional balance of power would require deeper cooperation between the United States and its partners.
He stated that Washington expects allied countries in Asia to raise defense expenditures to around 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product.
According to Hegseth, the era in which wealthy nations could rely on the American security umbrella without significantly increasing their own contributions is coming to an end.
He emphasized that US allies must play a more active role in safeguarding regional stability and addressing emerging security threats.
Addressing the issue of Taiwan, the US defense secretary said Washington’s policy of military support for the island remains unchanged.
However, he noted that any future decisions regarding additional arms sales packages to Taiwan would ultimately be made by President Donald Trump.
Hegseth’s remarks come amid intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China across military, economic, technological, and geopolitical domains.
Over recent years, tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased over issues including Taiwan, maritime security in the South China Sea, advanced technology, trade, and regional influence.
Analysts say the latest comments reflect growing efforts by the United States to encourage allies to expand their own defense capabilities as part of a broader strategy to counterbalance China’s rising military power in the Indo-Pacific region.
