US Defense (War) Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that "no one, including China, can shake the security of the United States and its allies through hegemonic actions." Urging allies to increase defense spending, he added that "it is encouraging to see allies like South Korea more swiftly take the lead in military operational control."
Hegseth made the remarks in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an Asian security conference held in Singapore, saying there are "legitimate concerns about China's historic military buildup and its expanding military activities in this region (Asia-Pacific) and beyond."
"What we seek is a truly stable equilibrium that works for our allies as well as for the American people," he said. "No country, including China, should exercise hegemony in Asia." Hegseth said security in the region "has relied too heavily on US military power," and reiterated his earlier call for allies and partners to raise defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP). He then praised South Korea, which has already pledged to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, saying, "We applaud the pragmatism and leadership South Korea has shown."
