U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the Shangri-La defense conference in Singapore, reaffirming America’s commitment to Pacific security. While he softened previous warnings about China, he maintained that the U.S. would not allow China to dominate the Indo-Pacific region.

Strategic Stability with China

Hegseth’s remarks come shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting resulted in an agreement to pursue a constructive relationship based on fairness and reciprocity. Hegseth emphasized that while the U.S. seeks mutually beneficial agreements with China, it remains vigilant about China’s military activities in the region.

Chinese Maj. Gen. Meng Xiangqing praised the meeting’s outcomes, highlighting a strategic guidance for future China-U.S. relations centered on cooperation and managed competition.

Concerns Over Taiwan

The conference also touched on the sensitive issue of Taiwan. Hegseth reiterated that there was no change in the U.S. stance towards Taiwan, despite President Trump’s comments about a potential $14 billion arms package being a negotiating tool with China. The U.S. is legally obligated to help Taiwan defend itself, though it maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding military intervention.

Defense Spending and Alliances

Hegseth called on allies to increase defense spending, praising several Asian countries for their efforts. He criticized European allies for being distracted by globalist rhetoric, suggesting they adopt a more pragmatic approach to align national interests.

In a related development, Hegseth, along with Australian and British defense officials, announced a new AUKUS initiative to develop undersea drone capabilities, enhancing detection of threats to underwater infrastructure.

Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix metro) — read the source article.