US Urges Asia Allies to Counter China’s Growing Threat

Chinese military will one day ‘punch out’ Taiwan, Hegseth says Hegseth noted that China is readying itself to use force to take over Taiwan. He pointed out that Xi has told the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to prepare by 2027 for the option of taking control of Taiwan, a democratic island of 23 million that Beijing says is its own even though it has never ruled it. The PLA is “building up to it every day and practicing for the real thing,” he said.

China Hits Back, US Presses Allies to Stand with It
These accusations are completely slanderous fabrications that aim to cause disharmony,” China said in its response to Hegseth’s comments. Beijing maintained that the US is snubbing the calls for peace emanating from the region. But Hegseth also made clear that the United States — President Donald Trump — is there to protect Taiwan and the Americans won’t allow it to be taken over be Chinese.

Hegseth emphasized the concept of shared defense and urged regional allies to spend more on defense. He has said NATO members had increased defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, and asked why major allies in Asia were investing less, despite serious threats, including North Korea.

Although the US does not want conflict with China, it will not abide by the other side’s aggressive behavior, and that was defined by his mandate, he said. “We will never be hounded out of this highly strategic region,” he said, stressing the importance of solidarity at a time of rising tension.

Rivalry Swells, China Sends Lower-Level Delegation
The defense forum, which typically brings together top U.S. and Chinese officials, will see those high-level dialogues put on hold this year. China has sent only a modest delegation from its National Defense University and not its defense minister, who normally attends. When the forum’s agenda was published, the block for a Chinese speech was stripped away, and Chinese officials did not provide an explanation for why their defense minister would not take part.

While China said it would be open to communications with the US, no formal meetings have been announced. This is as US-China tensions persist not just in terms of military but also economically. Trump levied tariffs on Chinese products earlier this year, which led to a tit-for-tat series of duties and eventually imposed tariffs over 100%.

Hegseth’s address indicates the Biden administration plans to continue the precedent set by America in the past, albeit with an aggressive stance. Even as Trump has strained NATO, and Europe, “the US stance in Asia has been consistent – countering China’s power and supporting Taiwan,” analysts say.

Combined military exercises with major allies such as Japan, Australia, the Philippines, and South Korea have been de facto conducted up through 2025, in a reinforcement of the collective defense component of these bilateral agreements.