US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that China is “seriously preparing for the possible use of military force to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region”.

The Pentagon chief made the comments during the annual security forum in Singapore, where he called on US allies and partners in Asia to increase their defense spending.

“The threat posed by China is real and could be immediate,” Hegseth said during the Shangri-La Dialogue, adding that Beijing “hopes to dominate and control” Asia.

Beijing's military is building up its capacity to invade Taiwan, training every day and “rehearsing for the real fight,” he said.

Citing enhanced cooperation with allies, including Japan and the Philippines, and a deepening military partnership with India, Hegseth said the US was “reorienting its efforts to deter communist China's aggression.”

He called on Washington's allies and partners in the region to increase spending on their military forces in light of the Chinese threat.

“It's a little hard for me to believe I'm saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to European countries for a new example,” Hegseth said,

citing promises by NATO members, including Germany, to move toward US President Donald Trump's goal of spending 5% of GDP. | BGNES