SINGAPORE: On May 31, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told America's Indo-Pacific allies that they would not be left alone to deal with China's growing military and economic pressure.

He promised that the U.S. would strengthen its defense presence in the region and asked these countries to increase their defense efforts.

Hegseth said the U.S. is concerned about China's aggressive actions, especially toward Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has carried out military exercises to simulate a blockade. The U.S. has promised to defend Taiwan if necessary.

"The Chinese military is preparing for a real conflict," Hegseth warned in a speech at a major security meeting in Singapore. "The threat from China is real, and it may happen soon."

China hopes to be ready to take Taiwan by force by 2027, though experts say this is more of a goal than a set deadline. Meanwhile, China has built artificial islands in the South China Sea with military bases and developed advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles and space technology. These developments have led the U.S. to work on space-based missile defense systems.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth said China is now training daily for a possible invasion of Taiwan. He also pointed to China's efforts to gain influence in Latin America, especially around the Panama Canal.

Hegseth called on Indo-Pacific countries to increase defense spending, suggesting they match European countries, which spend around five percent of their national income on defense.

He also repeated earlier promises to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific. Although past presidents like Obama and Biden talked about focusing more on Asia, military resources were often sent instead to the Middle East or Europe, mainly due to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Even during President Trump's second term, U.S. forces were shifted away from the Indo-Pacific. For example, a Patriot missile defense unit was sent to the Middle East, and Coast Guard ships were recalled to help at the U.S.-Mexico border.

When asked why resources were moved if the Indo-Pacific is a top priority, Hegseth said it was necessary to defend against threats from Yemen and to protect U.S. borders. Still, he emphasized that allies must do more for their defense.

"America doesn't want to do this alone," he said. "Our strength lies in strong partnerships."

Hegseth warned Indo-Pacific countries not to rely too much on China economically while depending on the U.S. for defense, saying this creates risks. He added that the U.S. is ready to work with all countries willing to cooperate, regardless of their political or cultural views.