U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth warned on the 31st that the threat from China is real and could be imminent, urging allies in the Indo-Pacific region to increase defense spending.
The Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 is being held in Singapore from May 30 to June 1. Hagseth attended for the first time. He delivered a speech titled "America's New Ambitions for Indo-Pacific Security."
Hagseth said China is "visibly and credibly prepared to use force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region."
He stated, "The threat posed by China is real and could be imminent," adding that Beijing "wants to dominate and control" Asia.
He emphasized that the U.S. is not pressuring other countries to accept its political or ideological views and hopes to cooperate where there are shared interests.
Regarding French President Macron's statement at the dialogue the previous day that it is reasonable for Europe to increase defense spending, Hagseth responded that it is unreasonable for Asian allies facing greater threats to reduce defense spending while European countries are increasing theirs.
"Forceful Annexation of Taiwan Would Have Devastating Consequences"
Discussing the Indo-Pacific region, Hagseth said peace can be achieved through strength. The U.S. is not seeking conflict with China but cannot ignore China's attempts to change the regional status quo. These actions show a lack of respect for neighbors, challenge sovereignty, and threaten freedom of navigation. Any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in regions like the South China Sea through force or coercion is unacceptable.
Hagseth also stated that China's rapid development poses a threat, particularly its aggressive stance towards Taiwan, and the U.S. will strengthen its overseas defenses to respond.
He said the Chinese People's Liberation Army is building greater capacity and conducting exercises. If China attempts to forcibly annex Taiwan, it would have devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific region and globally. The threat posed by China is real and possibly imminent; "we certainly hope it doesn't happen." Some countries find themselves in a dilemma between economic cooperation with China and security cooperation with the U.S., but must be wary of the influence China seeks through these intertwined relationships.
China Urges to Stop Spreading the "China Threat" Theory
China has repeatedly urged the U.S. to abandon its Cold War zero-sum mentality, stop spreading the "China threat" theory, stop misrepresenting China's strategic intentions, and work with China to uphold mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, promoting stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations.
This year's Shangri-La Dialogue opened in Singapore on the evening of the 30th, with over 550 government officials, defense officials, experts, and scholars from more than 40 countries and regions attending. China did not send a defense minister this year but was represented by Deputy President and Dean of China's National Defense University, Hu Gangfeng, leading the Chinese delegation at the meeting.