The American Secretary of Defense accuses China of preparing to « use force » in Asia-Pacific-Liberation
The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, accused China on Saturday of preparing « Potentially use military force » In Asia-Pacific, a region of which Washington makes its « Priority theater » in a context of the rise of tensions. « The threat represented by China is real and could be imminent », he told Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, the biggest forum on security and defense in Asia, in a context of increased commercial and geopolitical tensions Between Washington and Beijing since Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Hegseth assured that Beijing « Wish to dominate and control » the region and « Train every day » for an invasion of Taiwanwith a multiplication of maneuvers around the island. Beijing is preparing « Clearly and in a credible manner to potentially use military force to modify the balance of forces » In Asia-Pacific, said the American leader.
The former Fox News host who became Minister of Donald Trump also denounced the multiplication of incidents involving Chinese ships in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing « To seize and militarize illegally » Islands and islets claimed in particular by the Philippines.
The Shangri-La Dialogue Forum brings together managers from the whole of Asia each year as well as from the rest of the world in the city-state of Singapore. For the first time since 2019, however, China has announced that it would not send a high -level manager.
For Washington, Asia-Pacific is the « Priority theater » and the United States « Reorient (their strategy) to dissuade any aggression through communist China ». The country has thus accentuated its cooperation with Japan and the Philippines, its traditional allies in the region, and set out to strengthen its relations with India, he recalled.
« America is proud to be back in Indo-Pacific, and we are here to stay there », A hammered Hegseth. But « The Allies of the United States in Indo-Pacific can and must quickly increase their own defense », he said, citing Europe as an example. « It’s a bit difficult to believe (…) that I can say that, but thanks to President Trump, our Asian allies and partners should be inspired by European countries, a whole new example » In the matter, he said. « Deterrence is not cheap », he recalled.
Several European countries, Starting with Germanyannounced a drastic increase in their military budgets in order to bring them 5 % of their GDP in the face of the threat of American president Donald Trump to disengage from the defense of Europe via NATO.
THE tensions between the United States and China Donald Trump’s return to power were argued, who notably inflicted record customs duties on Beijing and technological restrictions. Friday, the American president once again accused Beijing of not respecting the terms of a relaxing agreement negotiated two weeks ago between Both countries in Geneva. « Unsurprisingly, China has completely violated its agreement with us », He denounced on his Truth Social network, without specifying what actions carried out by Beijing he was aimed. « It will teach me to want to be nice », he added.
First European representative to hold the opening speech of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Emmanuel Macron called on Friday to « Building new alliances » with its Asian partners so as not to be « The collateral victims » of the « Decisions taken by superpowers ».
He also recalled the Chinese authorities to what he considers to be their role in international security: « If China does not want NATO to be involved in Southeast Asia or Asia, it must clearly prevent North Korea from being involved on European soil », Where she deployed soldiers against Ukraine alongside Russia, said the French leader.
The forum, of which it is the 22nd edition, is held until Sunday.
