U.S. Defense Secretary Warns China is Preparing to Use Force in Indo-Pacific, Asia

In a bold and urgent address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that China is “credibly preparing” to use military force to disrupt the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.

His message, delivered at one of Asia’s premier security summits, comes amid intensifying tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology, and territorial influence. Hegseth made it clear: the threat posed by China is not only real but could be imminent.

“Beijing is building the military capabilities to invade Taiwan—and they’re rehearsing for the real deal,” he said, emphasizing the gravity of China’s military posturing.

Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has reignited a tough stance on China. His administration has imposed aggressive trade measures, blocked Beijing’s access to critical artificial intelligence technologies, and deepened military alliances in Asia.

READ ALSO: Thailand’s Opal Suchata Crowned Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad’s Glittering Finale

These moves reflect a broader strategy to counter China’s growing assertiveness, particularly in disputed regions like the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

Hegseth accused China of expanding its military presence in the Indo-Pacific through coercion and aggression. He cited recent cyberattacks, harassment of neighboring nations, and illegal militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea as alarming examples of China’s strategy.

“China’s conduct is a wake-up call,” he warned. “They are endangering lives, undermining sovereignty, and seizing lands that do not belong to them.”

Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert dominance over the vital waterway—through which more than 60% of global maritime trade passes. Recent confrontations with the Philippines have only intensified regional concerns, and the issue is expected to dominate this year’s summit discussions.

Amid these escalating threats, Hegseth reassured allies that the U.S. is fully committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He declared the region “America’s priority theatre” and emphasized that the U.S. will not allow China to dominate its allies or rewrite the regional order.

“We are reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China,” he said, calling on regional partners to “upgrade their own defenses quickly.”

Hegseth pointed to NATO allies in Europe, such as Germany, as examples of countries stepping up defense spending in response to global threats. He encouraged Asian nations to follow suit, urging them to aim for a military investment of 5% of their GDP—an ambitious benchmark introduced by President Trump. “Deterrence doesn’t come cheap,” he reminded the forum.

Adding fuel to the fire, President Trump recently accused China of violating a bilateral agreement to roll back tariffs, reigniting trade tensions between the two economic superpowers. On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated bluntly: “China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US.”

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later expanded on this claim, criticizing Beijing for obstructing exports of critical minerals and failing to reduce the long-standing U.S. trade deficit.

Despite the strategic and economic friction, China opted not to send a senior defense official to the Singapore summit, instead dispatching representatives from the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University.

As tensions escalate across multiple fronts, Secretary Hegseth’s warnings reflect a growing urgency within the U.S. defense establishment. From Taiwan to the South China Sea, the Indo-Pacific is rapidly becoming the central stage in a high-stakes geopolitical contest.