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Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defense spending

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies to increase military spending to counter China's growing power and prevent regional dominance.
  • Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth warned of "rightful alarm" over China's rapid military buildup and stressed the need for a stronger, self-reliant allied network.
  • He called for allies to boost defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, stating the era of the US subsidizing wealthy nations' defense is over and emphasizing shared responsibility.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a strong call to Asian allies on Saturday, urging them to significantly increase their military spending to counter China's expanding influence and prevent its dominance in the region. Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense forum, Hegseth expressed "rightful alarm" over China's historic military buildup and its increasing military activities.

There is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond.

— Pete HegsethExpressing concern over China's military growth at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Hegseth emphasized that a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is crucial for deterring aggression and maintaining the regional balance of power. He stated that a Pacific dominated by any single power would destabilize the region, asserting that no nation, including China, can impose its hegemony and threaten the security or prosperity of allies.

A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power.

— Pete HegsethWarning about the consequences of a single power's dominance in the region.

The Pentagon chief outlined U.S. expectations for its Asian partners, calling for increased defense spending to 3.5% of their GDP. This aligns with the U.S. pledge of a $1.5 trillion investment in its own military. Hegseth stressed that the era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over, advocating for partners rather than protectorates and insisting that all allies must contribute.

The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over.

— Pete HegsethStating the U.S. expectation for allies to shoulder more of their defense costs.

While urging allies to increase spending, Hegseth also maintained a measured tone on U.S.-China relations, noting that ties are improving with more frequent military-to-military engagements to manage tensions. He praised contributions from allies like South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and acknowledged Japan's steps to bolster its defenses. Regarding arms sales to Taiwan, Hegseth downplayed concerns about potential impacts on stockpiles, stating confidence in U.S. readiness.

We need partners, not protectorates.

— Pete HegsethDefining the desired relationship between the U.S. and its allies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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