Hegseth Reassures Allies of Continued U.S. Support Against Chinese Aggression

On May 31, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, a major annual security forum attended by defense officials and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region. In his speech, Hegseth reiterated the United States' longstanding commitments to its allies in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of regional security partnerships. He specifically addressed concerns about China's recent actions in the region, which have included increased military activity and territorial claims in the South China Sea. Hegseth stated that the United States does not seek conflict with China, but is taking steps to ensure it is prepared to deter any potential aggression. He described U.S. military preparations as a means to prevent war, rather than provoke it, and stressed the importance of maintaining open communication channels with China to avoid misunderstandings. The speech comes amid heightened tensions between China and several neighboring countries, as well as ongoing discussions about the role of the U.S. in maintaining security and stability in the Asia-Pacific.