Overview

• At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Beijing’s military buildup could pose a “real and imminent” threat to Taiwan.
• He urged Indo-Pacific partners to raise defence spending to at least 5% of GDP and modernize their forces to deter potential Chinese aggression.
• China’s People’s Liberation Army responded with combat readiness patrols near the disputed Scarborough Shoal and accused the U.S. of stoking confrontation.
• Hegseth reiterated President Trump’s pledge that China will not invade Taiwan on his watch and affirmed America’s enduring commitment to regional security.
• Regional defence outlays held steady at about 1.5% of GDP in 2024, underscoring the shortfall allies must close to bolster deterrence.