U.S. Calls for Stronger Allies Against China's Military Rise

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on Asian allies to enhance their military budgets to counterbalance China's expanding military presence. Addressing the audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth highlighted the 'rightful alarm' over China's significant military growth, stating that a hegemon-dominated Pacific could disrupt the regional balance of power.

Hegseth emphasized the importance of strong alliances, urging U.S. allies to step up and increase their defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. This comes as the U.S. commits to a $1.5 trillion military investment. Despite advocating for stability, Hegseth maintained that the U.S.-China relations have improved due to increased military communication.

Additionally, Hegseth expressed the U.S.'s readiness to resume strikes on Iran if diplomatic efforts falter and reassured that arms sales to Taiwan will depend on presidential decisions. This multifaceted approach underscores U.S. commitment to maintaining both regional focus and global engagements.

(With inputs from agencies.)