Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport airspace sut down following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region and Hashfala following the detection of a missile launch from Yemen
SDF announces the killing of three of its members as a result of ISIS cells detonating a landmine targeting a vehicle of a security patrol on the Hasaka-Raqqa road
The Popular Resistance Committees: We call on all international institutions to take urgent action and uphold their responsibilities by restoring and immediately enforcing effective mechanisms for the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Popular Resistance Committees: The latest Zio-American crime against Gaza’s starving civilians constitutes a war crime, for which the US administration bears full and direct responsibility.
Gaza Media Office: Bloody spectacle shows that these zones have become collective death traps rather than aid distribution zones.
Gaza Media Office: Dozens of citizens are still surrounded under constant fire in the vicinity of the "aid station."
Gaza Media Office: As soon as citizens arrived, occupation and Americans opened direct fire on them.
Gaza Media Office: Occupation, in complicity with the US company, called on citizens to move toward Wadi Gaza Bridge, claiming that aid would be distributed.
Gaza Government Media Office: Occupation set a bloody trap at bridge of Wadi Gaza, luring thousands of starved civilians, and opened fire on them.

Hegseth warns of China while pressuring allies to boost arms spending

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 31 May 2025 06:00
2 Min Read

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns of a “real” Chinese threat in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington urges allies to ramp up military spending.

Listen
  • x
  • Hegseth warns of China while pressuring allies to boost arms spending
    United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, on May 31, 2025. (AP)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued warnings on Saturday regarding China’s growing military presence in the Asia-Pacific, claiming Beijing is preparing to shift the regional balance of power through force — remarks that reflect Washington’s continued drive to militarize the Indo-Pacific under the pretext of "deterrence."

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth alleged that China was "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific." He accused Beijing of seeking to "dominate and control" the region, while claiming that the Chinese military is actively "training every day and rehearsing for the real deal" in reference to Taiwan.

The Pentagon chief’s statements come amid growing US military engagement in Asia, marked by expanded cooperation with Japan and the Philippines, and deeper defense ties with India.

"The United States is reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China," Hegseth said, underscoring Washington’s efforts to position itself as a security guarantor while escalating tensions with Beijing.

Related News

Challenges undermine Gulf States’ ambitions in AI development: FT

US expands federal contract cuts to target tech vendors: WSJ

Read more: US to boost Taiwan arms sales beyond Trump's $18.3B benchmark

US pushes Indo-Pacific allies to boost military spending

Hegseth also called on US-aligned governments in the region to significantly boost military expenditures, drawing comparisons to NATO members in Europe.

"It’s hard to believe a little bit... that I’m saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to countries in Europe for a newfound example," he remarked, referring to Germany’s recent pledge to move toward Trump’s proposed target of five percent of GDP in defense spending.

"Deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap," he added.

The US-led security posture in the region has drawn criticism from multiple governments, including China, which views the moves as provocative and destabilizing. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory and has repeatedly warned against foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Read more: One Chinese shipyard outbuilt entire US industry since WWII in one yr.

  • China
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • United States
  • Pete Hegseth
  • Shangri-La Dialogue

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS