US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian allies on Saturday to increase military spending to counter China’s rising power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of a rapid build-up of military forces.

Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a network of allies more stronger and more independent is essential to deter aggression and maintain the balance of power.

“There is justifiable alarm about China’s historic military growth and expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

“No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and call into question the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies,” he added. he.

The US expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defense spending by 3.5%, while pledging a $1.5 trillion investment in their military, the Pentagon chief said.

“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more submarines,” Hegseth said, stressing that the region needed greater defense capabilities. “Allies want stability, not escalation, he said.

Hegseth also maintained a measured tone on US-China ties, saying relations are “better than they have been in many years,” with more frequent military engagements helping to manage tensions.

“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts while keeping lines of military communication open.”

E Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired senior colonel of the People’s Liberation Army, who was part of the Chinese delegation, described the US-China relationship as “complicated.” However, he said Hegseth maintained “a much better tone” this year than last year, attributing the change to Trump’s visit to China. “Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is not so tense.” exaggerated as the outside world presents it,” said Zhou.

Source: prizrenpost