During a security summit in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Indo-Pacific nations to significantly increase their military budgets and prepare for potential armed conflict with China. Hegseth framed China as a destabilizing force in the region, accusing it of aggression in the South China Sea and economic coercion.
He emphasized the need for a unified front against Beijing and called for enhanced interoperability and coordination among regional militaries. Hegseth specifically pushed for increased investment in advanced weaponry and technologies to counter China’s growing military capabilities.
The US commitment to the region, including its network of alliances, was highlighted as crucial for maintaining stability and deterring Chinese aggression. Hegseth argued that a strong military presence and readiness were essential for safeguarding freedom of navigation, upholding international law, and preserving the existing regional order. His address underscored the Biden administration’s strategy of containing China through military build-up and diplomatic pressure in the Indo-Pacific.
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