US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday delivered a dire warning to the Asia-Pacific region and the world: China’s designs on Taiwan pose a threat to global peace and stability that requires “our allies and partners do their part on defense.

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.

After US military allies in Europe were torched by Vice President JD Vance in March over military spending, free speech and the war in Ukraine, America’s partners in Asia warily awaited Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s arrival at a security conference in Singapore.

The assessment is a major departure for the U.S. government, and it came with a nudge that nations must choose between Washington and Beijing.

In a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue Saturday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that “the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.” China is actively training to retake Taiwan, he said, noting that an invasion would “result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.”

At an international forum in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is refocusing its strength and policies on deterring China, and coaxed China's neighbors and U.S. allies to help.

China criticized the United States on Sunday for having a "Cold War mentality" after Pete Hegseth appeared to warn that the U.S. is prepared to go to war to prevent China from dominating the Indo-Pacific.

Beijing responds to Pete Hegseth's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue and accuses him of using the forum to "sow discord and pursue selfish interests". In China, it seemed like it was going to be an informally quiet weekend,

China has protested to the United States against "vilifying" remarks made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, while accusing it of deliberately ignoring calls for peace from regional nations.

Germany’s top military officer said the country would continue to play a role in Asia-Pacific security, even as the US urges European nations to focus more on the threat from Russia.

In a world rattled by President Trump’s tariffs and his scorn for Western allies, the defense secretary struck a rare note of continuity on security partnerships.