U.S. defense chief calls China’s Indo-Pacific threat real, seeks peace through strength

Reuters

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Indo-Pacific’s premier annual gathering of defense leaders in Singapore, United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to the region while casting China’s increasing threat as real and potentially imminent.

Hegseth called for achieving peace through strength by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding militaries and reestablishing deterrence, the U.S. Department of Defense reported.

“There’s no reason to sugarcoat it,” he said in his late-May 2025 speech, expressing some of his strongest criticism of the Communist regime since taking office in January. He added that any attempt by China to conquer Taiwan “would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.”

China views Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to annex the democratic and independently governed island, by force if necessary. It has increased military and political pressure to assert those claims, including intensifying military exercises around Taiwan. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

“It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific,” Hegseth said. He encouraged Allies and Partners to spend more on their own security.

Spending on weapons and research is spiking among some Indo-Pacific countries as they respond to a darkening security outlook by broadening industrial partnerships while trying to boost their own defense industries, according to a study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the London-based organization that stages the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Hegseth spoke to the international audience on topics he has frequently discussed in the U.S., such as “restoring the warrior ethos.”

“We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt our politics or ideology. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues,” Hegseth said. “We respect you, your traditions and your militaries. And we want to work with you where our shared interests align.”