Hegseth Warns of ‘Imminent’ China Threat to Taiwan at Asia Summit
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a stark warning that China poses an “imminent” threat to Taiwan and is preparing its military to potentially alter the balance of power in Asia through force. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth made it clear that while the U.S. is not seeking conflict, it will not allow China to dominate Asia or intimidate its allies. He warned that any forceful takeover of Taiwan by Beijing would have devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
Call for Increased Asian Defence Spending
Hegseth called on Asian countries to urgently increase defence spending and collaborate with the United States to deter aggression. “We hope China doesn’t act, but it could. And we need to prepare for that,” he said. He emphasized that China is systematically building the military infrastructure, training, and conducting rehearsals to achieve what U.S. officials have described as a potential 2027 deadline for an invasion of Taiwan. Although that timeline has never been officially confirmed by Beijing, it has been a recurring assessment in U.S. defense circles.
Beijing’s Aggression in South China Sea Highlighted
The Defence Secretary further accused Beijing of harboring hegemonic ambitions and attempting to dominate the Asian region. He pointed to China’s multiple disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea and suggested that these were part of a broader strategy to extend Beijing’s control. “China hopes to dominate and control too many parts of Asia,” Hegseth said, warning that these ambitions come at the cost of regional peace and stability.
U.S. Reassures It Seeks No Domination
Hegseth insisted that the United States does not seek to encircle, provoke, or strangle China. “We do not seek regime change… but we must ensure that China cannot dominate us or our allies and partners,” he added. The Secretary reiterated America’s commitment to remaining a Pacific power and declared, “We will not be pushed out of this critical region.”
China Reacts, Labels U.S. a ‘Troublemaker’
In response to Hegseth’s comments, China accused the United States of being the “biggest troublemaker” in the region and undermining peace. Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-governed island under its control. While the U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan, recent developments suggest increasing American resolve to deter any military adventure from Beijing.
