Overview

• Hegseth characterized Beijing’s military modernization and Taiwan-focused exercises as a “real” and “potentially imminent” danger requiring joint action
• He pledged to expand U.S. deployments in the Indo-Pacific and accelerate AUKUS submarine production to bolster allied deterrence
• Private meetings with Singapore’s Chan Chun Sing and PM Lawrence Wong reaffirmed bilateral security ties under the 1990 facilities access memorandum
• Australia’s defence minister said spending will be calibrated to strategic needs but stopped short of committing to a specific GDP percentage
• China’s defence minister bypassed the summit, underscoring diplomatic tension as leaders confront Beijing’s rapid nuclear expansion