New York [US], May 31: At the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 , an annual regional security forum taking place in Singapore, the US Secretary of Defense stressed that the threat from China is "real and may be imminent," according to AFP.
The top Pentagon official told the forum that the Chinese military is building up its capabilities toward reunification with Taiwan, training troops every day and "practicing for a real situation" in the Taiwan Strait. Hegseth said the US was "reorienting itself to deterring aggressive behaviour" from China, through increased cooperation with allies such as Japan and the Philippines, as well as deepening its military partnership with India.
The US Secretary also called on Washington's allies and partners in the region to increase military spending to respond to immediate security threats.
"Asian allies should look to Europe for a new example," Hegseth said, referring to the commitment of NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP following a proposal by US President Donald Trump.
Minister Hegseth also affirmed that the US has returned to the Indo-Pacific, considering it a priority region and will not leave.
China has not yet responded to Hegseth's latest statement. However, at a press conference on the afternoon of May 29, in response to a request for comment on similar statements by the US Secretary of Defense, along with the statement by the US Pacific Army Commander that the US Army is establishing a new mobile force "to deal with possible conflicts with China", Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said that conflict and confrontation should not be the choice of China and the US.
According to Mr. Zhang Xiaogang, "The US should not always intentionally or unintentionally imagine a "strong enemy" for itself. This approach is irrational and extremely dangerous." He declared that the Chinese military will strengthen training and comprehensive combat readiness, resolutely protecting national sovereignty, security and development interests.
A delegation from the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army of China is also attending the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. In this regard, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense emphasized that China has always actively participated in constructive dialogue forums, presented China's ideas and initiatives, exchanged and communicated with all parties, enhanced trust and dispelled doubts, strengthened cooperation, and jointly contributed wisdom to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper