Hegseth Calls for 3.5% Defense Spending, China Skips Dialogue, June 06

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30, calling for Asian allies to increase defense spending to 3.5% of their gross domestic product. China’s defense minister Dong Jun skipped the forum for the second consecutive year, sending only lower-ranking officials. The moves signal shifting U.S. strategy in Asia and raise questions about regional military buildup.

Hegseth’s Defense Spending Push

Hegseth pressed Asian leaders to increase military spending, saying the region needs more combat power. He criticized the emphasis on dialogue, stating: “We don’t need more conferences. We need more combat power… less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs.” His call targets a region where many nations have long prioritized diplomacy and multilateral talks over military expansion. The demand signals a shift in U.S. policy toward greater military presence in the Indo-Pacific.

China’s Absence and Softer Tone

China sent a low-profile delegation of People’s Liberation Army experts and scholars instead of Defense Minister Dong Jun. This marks the second year Dong skipped the dialogue. Chinese officials interpreted Hegseth’s speech as reflecting a softer tone on China, linking it to a “constructive China-US relationship with strategic stability” agreed between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their May meeting in Beijing. Major General Meng Xiangqing, head of China’s delegation, said both sides should develop military ties in a healthy, stable and sustainable way.

Concerns Over Regional Arms Race

Analysts warn that Hegseth’s call for increased spending risks sparking an arms race in a region with historical tensions and overlapping territorial claims. Southeast Asian nations have traditionally acted as buffers between great powers, prioritizing dialogue over military buildup. A 3.5% spending target would be unrealistic for many Asean members already facing economic constraints. China’s response suggests Beijing views the speech as less confrontational than expected, though observers note the absence of China’s defense minister limited direct dialogue on key security issues.

Taiwan Notably Absent From Discussion

Hegseth did not mention Taiwan once during his keynote address, despite the island’s strategic importance to U.S. policy in Asia. Taiwan has doubled its defense spending over the past decade and reformed its military, yet the omission raised questions about U.S. commitment to reassuring the island and deterring Chinese aggression. The silence contrasted with previous years when Taiwan featured prominently in defense dialogue at the forum.

Final Thoughts

Hegseth’s push for higher defense spending and China’s low-profile attendance reflect deepening U.S.-China competition in Asia. The region faces pressure to choose between military buildup and diplomatic stability, with unclear benefits from either path.

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