Hegseth warns China poses 'imminent' threat to Taiwan and urges Asia to boost defence

The US defence secretary called on Asian countries to boost spending and work with the US to deter war.

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While the US does not "seek to dominate or strangle China", it would not be pushed out of Asia nor allow its allies to be intimidated, Hegseth said while addressing a high-level Asian defence summit on Saturday

In response, China has accused the US of being the "biggest troublemaker" for regional peace.

Many in Asia fear potential instability if China invades Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by Beijing. China has not ruled out the use of force.

Speaking at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth characterised China as seeking to become a "hegemonic power" that "hopes to dominate and control too many parts" of Asia. China has clashed with several neighbours over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.