Hegseth: China is an immediate threat to Taiwan, Asian countries must increase defence spending

(Patria) - US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that China poses an "immediate" threat to Taiwan and called on Asian countries to increase defence spending and cooperate with the US to prevent war.

Speaking at a security summit in Asia, Hegseth stated that the US does not seek to dominate or stifle China, but will not withdraw from the region nor allow its allies to be intimidated.

China responded by accusing the US of being the "biggest disruptive factor" for peace in the region.

Fear of potential instability is growing in Asia due to the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing considers part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force.

Hegseth accuses China of seeking to become a hegemon and control too many parts of Asia, highlighting its territorial disputes with neighbours in the South China Sea.

He warned that China is credibly preparing to use military force to change the balance of power, citing the 2027 deadline which, according to US officials, President Xi Jinping has set as a target for the capability to invade Taiwan.

- China is building an army for that, training for it every day and practising for war. Any attempt by communist China to take Taiwan by force would have devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific region and the entire world. We will not sugar-coat this - the threat is real. And it could be immediate - Hegseth said.

He added that the United States does not seek war or conflict with China.

- We do not want to encircle or provoke China, we do not seek regime change, but we must ensure that China cannot dominate us, our allies and partners - Hegseth emphasised.

The Chinese embassy in Singapore posted on Facebook that Hegseth's speech was "full of provocations and incitement", accusing him of "constantly denigrating China and inflating the so-called Chinese threat".

"The US is actually the biggest disruptive factor for regional peace and stability," they stated, citing examples such as the deployment of offensive weapons in the South China Sea and reconnaissance of Chinese islands and reefs.

Unlike the numerically large US delegation, China this year sent a significantly lower level of representatives and cancelled a scheduled speech without explanation.

Hegseth said the US wants to build a "strong deterrence shield" with its partners and told Asian countries that "deterrence is not cheap", calling on them, like European allies, to increase defence investments. He urged them to be "partners, not dependents" of the US.

He also outlined plans to strengthen the defence industry in the region, including establishing a radar repair centre in Australia and supporting drone production.

He also warned countries to be cautious about entering economic ties with China because Beijing could use this as a means of influence.

He described Trump's foreign policy as "common sense", emphasising that the US "has and seeks no permanent enemies" and does not want to impose its will or ideologies on others.