Hegseth Warns of China's Military Buildup at Shangri-La Dialogue

2026-05-30

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday voiced concern over China's military buildup and expanding military activities in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Asia security forum in Singapore. China declined to send Defense Minister Dong Jun, and a face-to-face meeting between the US and Chinese defense chiefs did not take place.

Distance Between the US and China

Hegseth said that 'under President Trump's leadership, US-China relations will be in the best shape they have been in years,' toning down direct criticism of China in the speech. At the same time, he expressed concern about China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its activities inside and outside the region, warning that 'no nation, including China, can impose hegemony.'

Pressure on Taiwan and Allies

He avoided mentioning Taiwan in the speech, but reiterated that the first island chain linking Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines is the Pacific's defensive line. That suggested a stance opposing any military invasion of Taiwan by China. He also called on Asian allies, including Japan, to maintain alliances based on burden-sharing, and signaled that Washington could change its approach toward allies reluctant to take part in collective defense.

Reaction From China and the Outlook

Chinese attendees expressed distrust of the remarks. Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to the United States, said future US-China relations would require 'seeing how the situation develops,' and described the Taiwan issue as the top priority. Zhou Bo, of Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy and a former officer in the People's Liberation Army, also pushed back against Washington's strengthening of alliances.

China did not send a defense minister to the Shangri-La Dialogue for a second straight year, and the absence of a US-China defense chiefs meeting again highlighted the deep-rooted mistrust over security issues. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at their summit in Beijing on the 14th and 15th to step up dialogue and build a 'constructive strategic stable relationship,' but differences remain over Taiwan and arms sales. Trump has invited Xi to visit the United States in September, and meetings are also expected at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit in November and the Group of 20 summit in December.

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