Hegseth urges Asia to boost defence against China's 'imminent' threat to Taiwan | BBC News

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth warned that China poses an "imminent" threat to Taiwan and urged Asian countries to increase defence spending and collaborate with the US to deter war. He emphasized that the US does not seek to dominate or strangle China, but will not be pushed out of Asia or allow intimidation of allies. Hegseth delivered these remarks to top Asian military officials at the Shangri‑la Dialogue, a high‑level defence summit held annually in Singapore. Many in Asia fear potential instability if China invades Taiwan, a self‑governing island claimed by Beijing, and China has not ruled out the use of force.