SINGAPORE: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is seeking a “stable equilibrium” with China in Asia, striking a notably more measured tone at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum despite expressing concerns over Beijing’s growing military capabilities.
Addressing defence officials and security experts from around 45 countries in Singapore, Hegseth acknowledged what he described as “rightful alarm” regarding China’s military expansion but stressed that the United States was not seeking unnecessary confrontation in the region.
“When we look across the region today, there is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military build-up and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” Hegseth said. However, he added that Washington’s objective was to maintain “a genuinely stable equilibrium” that benefits both the United States and its allies.
The remarks marked a contrast with Hegseth’s comments at last year’s forum, where he described China as a potentially imminent security threat and adopted a far more confrontational approach. Analysts attending this year’s event noted a noticeable shift in tone.
Hegseth reiterated Washington’s commitment to engaging Beijing in a “respectful” and “good-faith” manner. He also expressed regret that China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun did not attend the conference for the second consecutive year, saying he hoped to meet his Chinese counterpart on another occasion.
Hegseth further urged America’s allies in the Indo-Pacific region to increase defence spending, praising countries such as South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines while warning that nations relying excessively on US security guarantees could face changes in Washington’s approach.
