US seeks 'stable equilibrium' with China in Asia, defense chief says

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth struck a measured tone towards China at a major defence forum in Singapore, acknowledging "rightful alarm" over Beijing's military build-up but emphasizing the United States' pursuit of a "stable equilibrium" in Asia.

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When we look across the region today, there is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military build-up and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond.

Hegseth's keynote address at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, a gathering of defense officials and experts from approximately 45 nations, marked a shift from his more confrontational remarks at the previous year's event. While China sent a delegation of military experts and scholars instead of its defense minister for the second consecutive year, Hegseth led a substantial U.S. contingent, creating opportunities for both public discussion and private diplomacy.

"When we look across the region today, there is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military build-up and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond," Hegseth stated. He clarified that Washington does not seek "needless confrontation in the region" but rather "a genuinely stable equilibrium (in Asia) that works for Americans as well as our allies." This equilibrium, he explained, involves "a favourable but durable balance of power in which no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question."

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Washington does not seek “needless confrontation in the region”, but rather “a genuinely stable equilibrium (in Asia) that works for Americans as well as our allies”.

He expressed the United States' desire for "respectful" and "good-faith" engagement with Beijing, adding, "I wish my counterpart was here at this conference, but I look forward to other options when we can cross paths." Regarding Taiwan, Hegseth affirmed there had been "no change" in Washington's stance but noted that "any decision about future Taiwan arms sales… will rest with" U.S. President Donald Trump. This statement contrasted with Trump's earlier comments suggesting Washington could use arms sales to Taiwan as a bargaining chip with Beijing.

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That means “a favourable but durable balance of power in which no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question”.

The shift in tone was noted by observers. Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, described the atmosphere as "quite happy, quite positive," reflecting Trump's recent visit to China. However, he did not perceive a "deliberate rapprochement," suggesting the speech primarily mirrored the administration's view on superpower competition: the need to bolster U.S. capabilities and ensure allied strength.

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I wish my counterpart was here at this conference, but I look forward to other options when we can cross paths.