Pentagon chief sounds ‘alarm’ over China’s buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

(Reuters)

SINGAPORE, May 30 – U.S. Defence Secretary ​Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” ‌over its rapid military buildup.

Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said. “No state, ​including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”

The U.S. expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defence ​spending to 3.5% of GDP as it pledged a $1.5 trillion investment in its military, the Pentagon chief said.

“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs,” Hegseth said, stressing ⁠that the region needed greater defence capability than conferences. Allies want stability, not escalation, he said.

“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and ​leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”

Hegseth also struck a measured tone on U.S.-China ties, saying relations are “better than they have been in many years,” with ​more frequent military-to-military engagement helping to manage tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication.”

Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described U.S.-China relations as “complicated.”

Nonetheless, he said Hegseth struck “a much better tone” this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China.00:0400:28

“Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is ​not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be,” Zhou said.

China, whose defence minister is skipping the dialogue for a second consecutive year, accused Hegseth last year of making “vilifying” remarks.