BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a forceful message to America’s allies and partners across Asia on Saturday, calling for a major increase in defence spending and military readiness to counter China’s growing military power and prevent any single nation from dominating the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, one of the world’s most influential gatherings of defence ministers, military officials and diplomats, Hegseth said China’s rapid military modernization and expanding regional presence had raised serious concerns among governments throughout Asia. He argued that maintaining peace and stability in the region would require stronger cooperation among allies as well as greater investment in national defence capabilities.
Hegseth warned that China’s military buildup was occurring at a historic pace and was extending beyond its immediate neighbourhood. He said countries across the Indo-Pacific had legitimate reasons to be concerned about Beijing’s expanding military footprint and increasingly assertive actions in regional waters and strategic areas.
According to Hegseth, preserving the balance of power in the Pacific remains a critical objective for the United States and its allies. He stressed that no nation should be allowed to establish regional hegemony or use its growing influence to threaten the security and prosperity of neighbouring countries. The Pentagon chief argued that a stable Indo-Pacific depends on maintaining a balance in which all nations can operate freely without coercion.
The defence secretary emphasized that Washington wants to see a stronger and more self-reliant network of allies capable of contributing meaningfully to regional security. He indicated that the United States expects many of its partners in Asia to significantly increase their military expenditures, suggesting that defence spending should reach approximately 3.5 percent of gross domestic product.
Hegseth pointed to the United States’ own commitment to military investment, highlighting plans for roughly $1.5 trillion in defence spending as evidence that Washington is prepared to maintain its military strength while expecting allies to shoulder a larger share of collective security responsibilities.
In one of the speech’s most memorable remarks, Hegseth suggested that the region needed more practical military capabilities and fewer discussions about security challenges. He argued that nations must focus on building fleets, strengthening armed forces and expanding deterrence capabilities if they hope to preserve peace in the years ahead.
While stressing the need for military preparedness, Hegseth sought to reassure regional partners that the United States was not seeking confrontation. He said allies consistently express a desire for stability rather than escalation and that Washington’s objective is to provide disciplined strength and steady leadership that deters conflict rather than provokes it.
Despite his strong criticism of China’s military growth, Hegseth adopted a relatively measured tone when discussing the current state of U.S.-China relations. He noted that military-to-military communication between the two countries has improved and that officials are engaging more frequently than in recent years. According to Hegseth, maintaining open channels of communication remains essential for reducing misunderstandings and managing tensions between the world’s two largest powers.
His remarks reflected a somewhat softer approach than previous exchanges between Washington and Beijing at the security forum, where disagreements over Taiwan, the South China Sea and military activities have often dominated discussions.
Members of the Chinese delegation attending the conference acknowledged the complexity of the bilateral relationship but also suggested that communication between the two governments has improved. Chinese analysts present at the summit described current relations as challenging but manageable, noting that dialogue continues despite significant strategic disagreements.
China’s defence minister did not attend the conference, marking the second consecutive year that Beijing’s top military official has skipped the gathering. In previous years, Chinese authorities criticized comments by senior U.S. officials at the summit, accusing Washington of unfairly portraying China as a threat.
A central theme of Hegseth’s speech was the Trump administration’s insistence that allies contribute more toward their own defence. Echoing President Donald Trump’s longstanding position on burden-sharing, Hegseth argued that wealthy nations can no longer rely primarily on American military protection while limiting their own defence investments.
He declared that the period in which the United States effectively subsidized the defence of prosperous allies had come to an end. Instead, he said Washington is seeking partnerships based on shared responsibility, with every member of an alliance contributing resources and capabilities.
Hegseth praised several countries for strengthening their military commitments, including South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He also highlighted Japan’s efforts to expand its defence capabilities and deepen cooperation with the United States amid increasing regional security concerns.
According to Hegseth, the U.S.-Japan alliance remains one of the cornerstones of Indo-Pacific security, and both countries must continue investing in the partnership to address emerging threats and maintain deterrence.
Beyond Asia, Hegseth also addressed ongoing tensions involving Iran, making clear that the United States remains prepared to resume military action if diplomatic efforts fail. His comments came as American and Iranian negotiators continue discussions aimed at overcoming major disagreements that have prevented a broader agreement from being reached.
The defence secretary said the U.S. military retains the capability to carry out additional operations if necessary, while emphasizing that President Trump continues to pursue a diplomatic solution. Hegseth described Trump as patient but determined to secure an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His remarks followed Trump’s announcement that he would meet with senior advisers at the White House to make a final decision regarding a proposal intended to end the conflict involving Iran.
Addressing concerns that developments in the Middle East could divert American attention away from Asia, Hegseth rejected the notion that Washington must choose between the two regions. He argued that the United States possesses the resources and capabilities necessary to manage multiple strategic challenges simultaneously.
Taiwan, one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations, received little attention during Hegseth’s prepared speech. However, the topic quickly surfaced during a question-and-answer session following his remarks.
Asked about a potential multibillion-dollar arms package for Taiwan, Hegseth expressed confidence that American weapons stockpiles remain sufficient despite ongoing military commitments elsewhere. Taiwan has reportedly been awaiting approval for a package that could be worth as much as $14 billion.
Questions surrounding the sale intensified after President Trump recently indicated that he had not yet decided whether to approve the package following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Hegseth declined to predict the outcome, stating that decisions regarding future arms sales to Taiwan would ultimately be made by President Trump. He emphasized that Washington’s overall approach toward Taiwan has not changed, even as diplomatic engagement with Beijing has expanded.
His comments underscored the delicate balancing act facing the United States as it seeks to strengthen ties with allies, deter potential aggression, maintain communication with China and manage multiple global security crises at the same time. The speech also highlighted the administration’s determination to push allies toward greater defence spending while reinforcing Washington’s commitment to maintaining a strong military presence across the Indo-Pacific region.
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