US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning on Saturday about China’s military plans in Asia. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth said China is “credibly preparing” to use military force to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. He urged Asian countries to increase their defense spending and work closely with the US to deter potential conflict, particularly concerning Taiwan. Hegseth described the Indo-Pacific as “America’s priority theatre” and pledged to ensure China would not dominate the area or its allies.
China strongly rejected these claims, accusing the US of sowing division in Asia and promoting a Cold War mentality. The Chinese foreign ministry called Hegseth’s speech “filled with provocations” and labeled the accusations as groundless. They emphasized the need for peace and criticized the US for undermining stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The summit witnessed heated exchanges over regional military build-ups and territorial disputes. Australia and the Philippines also voiced concerns over China’s growing military presence, demanding more transparency and restraint. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and Europe regarding Asia’s security were also visible during the discussions.
These developments highlight the growing geopolitical challenges in Asia involving major powers and regional countries, increasing the urgency for diplomatic dialogue and defense cooperation.
Key points from the summit include:
- China is preparing to potentially use military force in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The US is calling on Asian countries to boost defense spending and collaborate closely to deter conflict.
- China rejects US accusations, warning against fostering division and instability.
- Regional countries like Australia and the Philippines express concern over China’s military activities.
- Broader tensions between the US and Europe on Asia’s security were noted.
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