New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stern message, stating that allied countries in the Indo-Pacific region will not be left alone amid growing military and economic pressure from China. He made these remarks on Saturday at the annual security conference called the “Shangri-La Dialogue” held in Singapore.
Hegseth stated that China is not limited to preparing for the occupation of Taiwan; rather, they are conducting daily war exercises. In his words, “Chinese troops are now engaged in core combat drills. We are not hiding this—the threat is real and could become operational in the near future.”
Although Beijing has claimed that these US statements are baseless and provocative, Hegseth emphasized that China is not only focused on the Indo-Pacific but is also trying to expand influence in distant regions like Latin America—especially the Panama Canal.
Redistribution of Resources and Debate
A question was raised at the conference: if the US is prioritizing the Indo-Pacific, then why is military equipment being withdrawn from the Middle East or Europe? Hegseth explained that the main reasons are to stop Houthi missile attacks in Yemen and to control illegal immigration on the US-Mexico border.
Participation of Allies Is Essential
He said that the US does not want to move forward alone. Instead, building an integrated network of allies and partners is now the most significant strategic strength. For this, he called on the countries of the region to allocate 5% of their GDP for defense spending, following the European model.
China’s Response
This year, analysts believe China protested by not sending its defense minister to the conference. China’s representative Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng labeled Hegseth’s statements as “distorted information” and “provocative remarks.”
Hegseth said, “We are here, but not everyone is. We want to work together with all allies—both traditional and non-traditional. However, to be in this alliance, one does not need to agree with Western culture or climate policies.”