At a major defense conference in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a strong warning regarding China’s military ambitions toward Taiwan, stressing that any attack on the island democracy would have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Hegseth stated, “Any attempt by Communist China to take Taiwan by force would bring catastrophic effects not just to the Indo-Pacific region, but to the entire world.” He emphasized the seriousness of the threat, describing it as both real and potentially imminent.
According to Hegseth, Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for a possible invasion of Taiwan by 2027, reaffirming Beijing’s claim over the island as part of its territory.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue—a key annual summit where defense leaders from across Asia and beyond gather—Hegseth underscored the Trump administration’s firm stance that China will not be allowed to invade Taiwan while President Trump remains in office. This marked one of the clearest U.S. commitments to Taiwan’s defense in recent memory.
The warning comes amid increased Chinese military maneuvers throughout the South China Sea, near the Philippines, Taiwan, and further north near key U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea. These activities demonstrate China’s growing military assertiveness in the region.
Hegseth highlighted China’s rapid military buildup and its aggressive posture as evidence of its goal to dominate Asia and control strategic maritime routes. Despite an international tribunal ruling that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are invalid, Beijing continues to assert control over nearly 90% of this vital trade corridor, through which about $5 trillion in global commerce flows annually.
In a notable diplomatic snub, China sent no senior defense officials to the Singapore meeting this year, signaling a reluctance to engage with regional defense counterparts.
While emphasizing that the United States does not seek conflict with China, Hegseth made it clear that the U.S. will remain steadfast in protecting its interests and supporting its allies in the Indo-Pacific.
“Nobody knows exactly what China will do next,” Hegseth said. “But they are preparing for action. We must be equally prepared. Our only option is vigilance and urgency.”
