U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China's growing power.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth warned of "rightful alarm" over China's rapid military buildup and called for a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies.
"A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power," Hegseth said.
He expects allies to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP as the U.S. pledges $1.5 trillion in military investment.
"Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs," Hegseth stressed, emphasizing the need for greater defence capability over conferences.
