In his first major policy address in the Indo-Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a pointed, but strategically ambiguous, warning to China not to act on its long-stated desire to make the self-governing island of Taiwan part of the mainland under Beijing’s rule.

My job is to create and maintain decision space for President Trump, not to purport to make decisions on his behalf.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth​ reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific on Saturday that they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned China is rehearsing for a potential invasion of Taiwan during a defense forum over the weekend, prompting a response from Chinese officials.

China has accused the US of "fear-mongering" after Donald Trump’s defence secretary Pete Hegseth said a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be imminent.China's foreign ministry objected to Mr Hegseth calling it a threat in the Indo-Pacific,

In his opening remarks, Hegseth warned China seeks no less than hegemony over the region and is increasingly willing to resort to force. He cited confrontations in the South China Sea, including incidents in which China's coast guard used water cannon against Philippine vessels, injuring several people last year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday in Singapore attempted to woo Asian defense leaders to Washington’s side as he warned of the “imminent” threat China poses to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth,