U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning over China’s increasing military preparations, saying Beijing is gearing up to use force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security forum held in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized that the Chinese military — the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) — is conducting daily exercises in preparation for potential military action against Taiwan.
Hegseth revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the PLA to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly signaled its intent to assert control over the island.
Despite these developments, Hegseth reaffirmed U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to preventing Taiwan from falling under Chinese control. “President Trump has made it clear — under his leadership, the United States will not allow Taiwan to be taken by China,” Hegseth said.
He also called on America’s allies and partners in the region to unite against China’s aggressive actions, not only regarding Taiwan but also in broader regional disputes such as those in the South China Sea, where China continues to assert expansive territorial claims.
Encouraging regional cooperation, Hegseth urged Asian nations to increase their defense spending, citing NATO allies who have raised defense budgets to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) as an example.
Despite the tough rhetoric, the Pentagon chief clarified that the U.S. does not seek conflict with China. “We do not want war,” he stated, “but the Trump administration will not allow Chinese aggression to dominate the region.”
