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U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Stark Warning on China at Shangri-La Dialogue
At the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a scathing address, describing China as a “real and potentially imminent” threat to regional security, with a focus on Taiwan. He urged Asian countries to strengthen their military capacities to resist Chinese invasion.
Beijing strongly condemned Hegseth’s remarks, which included a call for higher defense spending, and highlighted the increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific area.
China’s Response: Accusations of Provocation
In a rapid reaction, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Hegseth of “sowing division” and encouraging a “Cold War mentality.”
The ministry chastised the US for deploying offensive weaponry in the South China Sea and advised Washington to avoid measures that could spark a conflict over Taiwan.
China asserts that Taiwan is an intrinsic part of its territory, and it has not ruled out using force to achieve reunification.
. Reuters
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles Responds
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed alarm over China’s military expansion, calling it the largest conventional military buildup by any country since the conclusion of World War II.
He hailed the United States‘ commitment to the Indo-Pacific, but emphasized the importance of broader international contributions to regional stability.
Marles also called for greater transparency in China’s military activities, urging Beijing to provide a “strategic explanation” for its rapid military expansion.
South China Morning Post+1Defense News+1The GuardianSouth China Morning Post
Strategic Implications for the Indo-Pacific
The discussion at the Shangri-La Dialogue demonstrates the rising strategic rivalry between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific. To counter China’s assertive moves in the South China Sea and growing military presence near Taiwan, the United States has strengthened defense ties with regional allies such as the Philippines and Australia.
Simultaneously, China has increased its military capabilities, generating fears among neighboring countries about potential alterations in the regional power balance.
Conclusion
The happenings of the Shangri-La Dialogue reflect the growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the United States and China manage their complex relationship, the involvement of regional allies, as well as an emphasis on transparency and discussion, will be critical to maintaining stability and avoiding miscalculations that may lead to confrontation.
