US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian allies to sharply increase military spending and warned of a growing threat from China.

It was reported by Reuters.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Pete Hegseth emphasized that the US needs stronger and more independent allies.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” the Pentagon chief said.

According to him, the dominance of any state in the Pacific region could upset the current balance of power.

“No state, ​including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question,” he emphasized.

Hegseth stated that the US expects its allies and partners to increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP. According to him, countries in the region are already planning to invest about USD 1.5 trillion in the development of their armed forces.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that Washington’s goal is not escalation, but ensuring stability.

“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and ​leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick,” the head of the US Department of Defense explained.

At the same time, Hegseth reiterated US President Donald Trump’s position on the need for a fairer distribution of defense costs among allies.

“The era of the United States subsidizing the defence ‌of wealthy nations ⁠is over. We need partners, not protectorates,” the Pentagon chief stated.

He added that a strong alliance is impossible without an equal distribution of responsibility.

“We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading,” Hegseth emphasized.

At the same time, he praised the contributions of South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan to strengthening regional security.

Despite harsh assessments of China’s military buildup, Hegseth noted that relations between Washington and Beijing have improved recently. According to him, the militaries of both countries are maintaining more frequent direct contact, which helps avoid dangerous escalation.

A representative of the Chinese delegation, Zhou Bo, a senior researcher at Tsinghua University and a retired colonel, described relations between the US and China as “complicated.” However, he noted that this year Hegseth had adopted a “much better tone” than last year, attributing this change to Trump’s visit to China.

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