US Defense Chief: China Cannot Dominate Asia-Pacific; Praises South Korea's Operational Control Move

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared on Sunday that China will not be allowed to dominate the Asia-Pacific, while also commending South Korea's initiative to regain early wartime operational control.

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No country, including China, can shake the security of the United States and its allies through the exercise of hegemony.

Speaking at the 23rd Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, Austin expressed "justified vigilance" regarding China's military buildup and its expanding activities. "No country, including China, can shake the security of the United States and its allies through the exercise of hegemony," he stated.

Austin also addressed South Korea, calling its move to take faster control of military operations a "breath of fresh air." He reiterated the U.S. government's call for allies to increase defense spending to 3.5% of their GDP, applauding South Korea for its commitment and "pragmatism and leadership."

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South Korea's move to take faster control of military operations is a breath of fresh air.

"The security in this region has been overly reliant on U.S. military power," Austin noted, stressing that strong alliances require shared responsibility and that "free-riding is over." He made it clear that the U.S. is no longer subsidizing wealthy nations' defense budgets and needs partners, not protectorates.

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

On the Taiwan issue, Austin reaffirmed the U.S. approach of denying China's access across the "first island chain" stretching from Japan to the Philippines, underscoring the necessity of defending Taiwan. He added that future U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would depend on President Donald Trump's decisions.

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We need partners, not protectorates.