'Rightful alarm' over China's military build-up in Asia, says Pete Hegseth at Shangri-La Diaolgue

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China's growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of "rightful alarm" over its rapid military build-up.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday (May 30), Hegseth said stronger, more self-reliant allies are key to deterrence.

"There is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond ... A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power," Hegseth said. "No state, including China, can impose hegemony and hold the security of our nation and our allies in question."