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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hegseth challenges China in its own backyard
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday in Singapore attempted to woo Asian defense leaders to Washington's side as he warned of the 'imminent' threat China poses to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth, who took the stage at the Shangri-La Dialogue, sought to seize on a gap China created in declining to send its own defense minister to the major annual gathering of diplomats, military officials and business leaders — an opportunity for the U.S. to make inroads with Asian countries. 'Here in the Indo-Pacific, our futures are bound together,' Hegseth told attendees. 'We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security. And we are here to stay.' 'And as a matter of fact, we are here this morning, somebody else isn't,' he added. Hegseth's trip to Singapore — his second visit to the region as Pentagon chief — takes place amid the backdrop of heightened rhetoric between Washington and Beijing, which President Trump accused Friday of violating a temporary trade deal. European and Indo-Pacific countries have found themselves at a crossroads as of late, increasingly pulled between the competing interests of the U.S. and China as both struggle for dominance. There's also uncertainty in the region over the U.S.'s commitment to the defense of Taiwan, which China has threatened to overtake, a potential reality Hegseth played into. 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,' he said, adding that any move on Taipei by Beijing 'would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.' In an attempt to sway Indo-Pacific nations, Hegseth promised continued American partnership and support to those wary of the Trump administration's commitment to the region. But the pledges came with a caveat repeated in Europe, Africa and elsewhere in the world: a call for an increase in defense spending. 'We ask, and indeed we insist, that our allies and partners do their part on defense,' he said. 'Sometimes that means having uncomfortable and tough conversations.' The Shangri-La Dialogue, put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, traditionally gives U.S. defense leaders a soapbox to lay out America's strategy in the Indo-Pacific, with an audience of senior officials from across the globe. China, instead of sending its defense minister, sent only an academic delegation to the gathering. Hegseth took advantage of this absence and delivered the Trump administration's most concrete stance on U.S. security policy in the region since the president took office in January, pledging American support for allies while painting China as the common enemy. 'We do not seek conflict with communist China. … But we will not be pushed out of this critical region, and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated,' Hegseth said. 'It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific,' he continued. While China has not sought war with any nation, it has flexed its military and economic might in the seas around East and South East Asia, attempting to dominate vital shipping lanes via its powerful navy and man-made islands laden with military equipment. Beijing has also built up its nuclear and conventional arsenals, amassing vessels for a navy that now outstrips the U.S. Navy in number of ships. And an ever looming presence is China's firm eye on Taiwan, which it views as its own territory and has vowed to 'reunify' with the island, using force if necessary. To that end, Beijing has increased war games around Taiwan and stepped up political pressure. The U.S. has made clear, however, that it will not be pushed from the region, with tens of thousands of troops based in Japan and South Korea, and several U.S. owned or maintained military bases in Australia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Hegseth affirmed the U.S. alliance in the region when he visited the Philippines and Japan in March. The Pentagon also announced the development of a new defense strategy in May centered on 'deterring' China in the region and 'increasing burden-sharing' with international partners. But in Saturday's speech Hegseth expanded on Washington's plan, which includes improving U.S. forward force posture, rebuilding defense industrial bases, and helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities. The pledges came, however, with an all-too-expected push for countries to ramp up their own defense spending, something the U.S. has already pushed its European allies to do. 'It doesn't make sense for countries in Europe to [spend more] while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat — I've mentioned North Korea,' Hegseth said. While he didn't mention any specific spending goal, it is speculated that Hegseth will push Asian nations to increase defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)— the new spending goal for NATO members in Europe. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby hinted as much when he posted to the social media platform X on Wednesday that 5 percent 'is the new standard for our allies around the world, especially Asia.' Asian countries spent an average of 1.5 percent of GDP on defense in 2024 — a figure that has stayed constant over the last decade — but spending on weapons is spiking amid a darkening security outlook, according to a study released Wednesday by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. To nudge things along, Hegseth suggested on Saturday that European allies focus on security on their own continent, freeing up the U.S. to zero in on Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. 'We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent, so that as we partner there, which we will continue to do, we're able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here,' he said during a Q&A portion after his speech. Hegseth's comments mark a turning point in his usual messaging, which has heavily centered around domestic issues such as protecting the U.S. southern border, restoring the 'warrior ethos,' and countering so-called 'woke' initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in the military. He still mentioned those issues, but played to a more international audience on Saturday. 'We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt our politics or ideology. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues,' Hegseth said. 'We respect you, your traditions and your militaries. And we want to work with you where our shared interests align.' It's unclear how Hegseth's message was met by allies in the region, but China was certainly rankled, calling his comments 'steeped in provocations and instigation.' 'Mr. Hegseth repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called 'China threat,'' the Chinese embassy in Singapore wrote on its Facebook page. 'As a matter of fact, the U.S. itself is the biggest 'troublemaker' for regional peace and stability.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
Hegseth challenges China in its own backyard
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday in Singapore attempted to woo Asian defense leaders to Washington's side as he warned of the 'imminent' threat China poses to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth, who took the stage at the Shangri-La Dialogue, sought to seize on a gap China created in declining to send its own defense minister to the major annual gathering of diplomats, military officials and business leaders — an opportunity for the U.S. to make inroads with Asian countries. 'Here in the Indo-Pacific, our futures are bound together,' Hegseth told attendees. 'We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security. And we are here to stay.' 'And as a matter of fact, we are here this morning, somebody else isn't,' he added. Hegseth's trip to Singapore — his second visit to the region as Pentagon chief — takes place amid the backdrop of heightened rhetoric between Washington and Beijing, which President Trump accused Friday of violating a temporary trade deal. European and Indo-Pacific countries have found themselves at a crossroads as of late, increasingly pulled between the competing interests of the U.S. and China as both struggle for dominance. There's also uncertainty in the region over the U.S.'s commitment to the defense of Taiwan, which China has threatened to overtake, a potential reality Hegseth played into. 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,' he said, adding that any move on Taipei by Beijing 'would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.' In an attempt to sway Indo-Pacific nations, Hegseth promised continued American partnership and support to those wary of the Trump administration's commitment to the region. But the pledges came with a caveat repeated in Europe, Africa and elsewhere in the world: a call for an increase in defense spending. 'We ask, and indeed we insist, that our allies and partners do their part on defense,' he said. 'Sometimes that means having uncomfortable and tough conversations.' The Shangri-La Dialogue, put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, traditionally gives U.S. defense leaders a soapbox to lay out America's strategy in the Indo-Pacific, with an audience of senior officials from across the globe. China, instead of sending its defense minister, sent only an academic delegation to the gathering. Hegseth took advantage of this absence and delivered the Trump administration's most concrete stance on U.S. security policy in the region since the president took office in January, pledging American support for allies while painting China as the common enemy. 'We do not seek conflict with communist China. … But we will not be pushed out of this critical region, and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated,' Hegseth said. 'It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific,' he continued. While China has not sought war with any nation, it has flexed its military and economic might in the seas around East and South East Asia, attempting to dominate vital shipping lanes via its powerful navy and man-made islands laden with military equipment. Beijing has also built up its nuclear and conventional arsenals, amassing vessels for a navy that now outstrips the U.S. Navy in number of ships. And an ever looming presence is China's firm eye on Taiwan, which it views as its own territory and has vowed to 'reunify' with the island, using force if necessary. To that end, Beijing has increased war games around Taiwan and stepped up political pressure. The U.S. has made clear, however, that it will not be pushed from the region, with tens of thousands of troops based in Japan and South Korea, and several U.S. owned or maintained military bases in Australia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Hegseth affirmed the U.S. alliance in the region when he visited the Philippines and Japan in March. The Pentagon also announced the development of a new defense strategy in May centered on 'deterring' China in the region and 'increasing burden-sharing' with international partners. But in Saturday's speech Hegseth expanded on Washington's plan, which includes improving U.S. forward force posture, rebuilding defense industrial bases, and helping allies and partners strengthen their defense capabilities. The pledges came, however, with an all-too-expected push for countries to ramp up their own defense spending, something the U.S. has already pushed its European allies to do. 'It doesn't make sense for countries in Europe to [spend more] while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat — I've mentioned North Korea,' Hegseth said. While he didn't mention any specific spending goal, it is speculated that Hegseth will push Asian nations to increase defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)— the new spending goal for NATO members in Europe. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby hinted as much when he posted to the social media platform X on Wednesday that 5 percent 'is the new standard for our allies around the world, especially Asia.' Asian countries spent an average of 1.5 percent of GDP on defense in 2024 — a figure that has stayed constant over the last decade — but spending on weapons is spiking amid a darkening security outlook, according to a study released Wednesday by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. To nudge things along, Hegseth suggested on Saturday that European allies focus on security on their own continent, freeing up the U.S. to zero in on Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. 'We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent, so that as we partner there, which we will continue to do, we're able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here,' he said during a Q&A portion after his speech. Hegseth's comments mark a turning point in his usual messaging, which has heavily centered around domestic issues such as protecting the U.S. southern border, restoring the 'warrior ethos,' and countering so-called 'woke' initiatives, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in the military. He still mentioned those issues, but played to a more international audience on Saturday. 'We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt our politics or ideology. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues,' Hegseth said. 'We respect you, your traditions and your militaries. And we want to work with you where our shared interests align.' It's unclear how Hegseth's message was met by allies in the region, but China was certainly rankled, calling his comments 'steeped in provocations and instigation.' 'Mr. Hegseth repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called 'China threat,'' the Chinese embassy in Singapore wrote on its Facebook page. 'As a matter of fact, the U.S. itself is the biggest 'troublemaker' for regional peace and stability.'
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
New threats in cyber, space and sea require fresh rules and greater cooperation, say New Zealand, France and Finland
(From left) New Zealand Minister for Defence Judith Collins, International Institute for Strategic Studies director-general and chief executive Bastian Giegerich, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 New threats in cyber, space and sea require fresh rules and greater cooperation, say New Zealand, France and Finland SINGAPORE – The evolving nature of warfare, including challenges in cyberspace, outer space and to undersea infrastructure, demands that countries work together to set new rules and coordinate their responses, said defence ministers from New Zealand, France and Finland at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31. Speaking during a plenary session on these frontier domains, the ministers said these areas are increasingly contested and blurred between military and civilian uses, making them vulnerable to misuse. They emphasised how closer cooperation and updated rules are more crucial than ever, to ensure that those who do not respect international norms cannot destabilise regional and global security. New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins noted that cyber intrusions are now 'an ever present threat', and that like many other countries its growing connectivity in devices and networks and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has made defence of its cyberspace more complex. The response to increasing contestation in the space, cyberspace and undersea domains has to be centred on an effective and robust system of international agreements, rules and norms of behaviour, she said. On its own, New Zealand has made it a point to identify perpetrators behind the major attacks on its cyberspace wherever possible, so that there is greater transparency and accountability on who is behind such attacks, said Ms Collins. French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, who spoke at the same session, echoed the importance of pinpointing and attributing the origin of cyberattacks. He noted that while domains such as cyberspace are today key to economic development and sovereignty, international law governing them are either ineffective or still nascent. 'If I had to summarise our dilemma today, you can be defeated without being invaded, and you can lose the war without ever having been at war,' he said. 'So that's really a brutal, new strategic deal compared with the situation we used to know.' He said that 'pioneer countries' must lead efforts to create clearer rules, even if some major powers are reluctant to participate. 'We should not give up the ambition to regulate,' he said, stressing that nations working together can overcome gaps in international law and deter provocations. Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen said during the discussion that the defence challenges in domains like cyber and undersea infrastructure are examples of the interconnected nature of today's world, and how threats have become more diverse. But Finland's example shows that such threats can be successfully countered, he said. For instance, Finland taps on the resources of the state, but also private industry and its research community to ensure a whole-of-nation approach to cybersecurity. Sensors and other new technologies have also made it easier to detect bad actors who may attempt to sabotage undersea cables or breach computer networks, added Mr Häkkänen, who said countries should not only identify attackers, but should put in place 'clear deterrence lines' to dissuade attacks. Establishing clear thresholds - that if breached could lead to retaliation - would benefit all parties, including potential adversaries, by discouraging cyber operations, he said. Their remarks built on discussions in an earlier plenary session on managing proliferation risks in the Asia-Pacific, where Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans warned that technology is evolving faster than rules and ethics can keep up. He cited the risk of AI battlefield algorithms misreading intent, and military command systems being hacked or deceived. Countries can choose to let technological progress outpace responsibility, or rise to the challenge to innovate, regulate, and safeguard them, added Mr Brekelmans. The Netherlands chose the latter option, which was why in 2023 it organised the first global summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain that took place at The Hague, he noted. 'I would encourage as many countries as possible to also participate in this, and to make sure that we make further progress on these international norms in these new domains that are evolving so quickly,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Daunting, grim': Warning on Chinese nukes
Beijing's nuclear ambitions and Chinese military build up create daunting and grim challenges across the Asia-Pacific, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister has warned. Defence Minister Richard Marles used a speech at a summit in Singapore to reiterate alarm bells over Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons. 'China's decision to pursue rapid nuclear modernisation and expansion, which aims in part to reach parity with or surpass the United States, is another reason the future of strategic arms control must be revitalised,' Mr Marles said in a speech on Saturday. Richard Marles says Cold War era arms controls are now inadequate. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'And that is a difficult and daunting project. 'We also have to counter the grim, potentially imminent, possibility of another wave of global nuclear proliferation as states seek security in a new age of imperial ambition.' Mr Marles made the speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore on Saturday. The annual conference attracts defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from across the Asia Pacific; it is the pre-eminent regional security forum. Beijing has not sent its National Defence Minister Dong Jun, instead sending a lower-level academic delegation. Last year's forum resulted in a meeting between Mr Dong and then-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. In his speech on Saturday, while acknowledging the US as a nuclear superpower, Mr Marles said arms controls needed to be strengthened. 'Russia suspended its participation in the last remaining binding bilateral arms control treaty between the United States and Russia in 2023,' he said. 'This leaves no legally binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers for the first time since 1972. 'New technologies like cyber, the weaponisation of space, and the ability to integrate nuclear weapons with autonomous systems means traditional arms control frameworks are being surpassed without any established method of control to supplement them.'
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
‘Daunting, grim': Deputy PM's warning on China's nuclear goals
Beijing's nuclear ambitions and Chinese military build up create daunting and grim challenges across the Asia-Pacific, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister has warned. Defence Minister Richard Marles used a speech at a summit in Singapore to reiterate alarm bells over Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons. 'China's decision to pursue rapid nuclear modernisation and expansion, which aims in part to reach parity with or surpass the United States, is another reason the future of strategic arms control must be revitalised,' Mr Marles said in a speech on Saturday. 'And that is a difficult and daunting project. 'We also have to counter the grim, potentially imminent, possibility of another wave of global nuclear proliferation as states seek security in a new age of imperial ambition.' Mr Marles made the speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore on Saturday. The annual conference attracts defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from across the Asia Pacific; it is the pre-eminent regional security forum. Beijing has not sent its National Defence Minister Dong Jun, instead sending a lower-level academic delegation. Last year's forum resulted in a meeting between Mr Dong and then-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. In his speech on Saturday, while acknowledging the US as a nuclear superpower, Mr Marles said arms controls needed to be strengthened. 'Russia suspended its participation in the last remaining binding bilateral arms control treaty between the United States and Russia in 2023,' he said. 'This leaves no legally binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers for the first time since 1972. 'New technologies like cyber, the weaponisation of space, and the ability to integrate nuclear weapons with autonomous systems means traditional arms control frameworks are being surpassed without any established method of control to supplement them.'
