In his opening remarks, Hegseth warned China seeks no less than hegemony over the region and is increasingly willing to resort to force. He cited confrontations in the South China Sea, including incidents in which China's coast guard used water cannon against Philippine vessels, injuring several people last year.

Pete Hegseth reaffirmed in a speech in Singapore that the U.S. does not seek conflict with China, but to deter China the U.S. "is preparing for war, to deter war."

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth was addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, a marquee geopolitical conference in Singapore

The Chinese military has issued a warning to the United States over President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense program, claiming it would open a "Pandora's box." When asked for a response, the Pentagon referred Newsweek to an earlier statement issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth,

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, tasked with reassuring regional defense officials that the U.S. remains a reliable partner.

Secretary of Defese Pete Hegseth rebuts China's space "war zone" claims, supports a Pentagon prayer service and announces increased jump pay for paratroopers at Fort Bragg.