Pete Hegseth Warns Chinese Invasion of Taiwan May Be ‘Imminent’

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued his starkest warning yet over China’s military ambitions, telling allies in the Indo-Pacific that Beijing’s threat to Taiwan is “real” and potentially “imminent.”

Speaking on Saturday in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a premier security summit, Hegseth said China is “actively training” every day for an invasion of Taiwan – accusing the Beijing of “rehearsing for the real deal.”

“We are not going to sugarcoat it, the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent,” Hegseth said.

The speech marks a renewed push from the Pentagon to re-centre U.S. defence strategy on the Indo-Pacific, amid concerns that repeated diversions to Europe and the Middle East have left the region under-defended.

Beijing’s absence from the summit was notable after China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun opted not to attend, a move interpreted by Hegseth as both a diplomatic snub and an opportunity.

“We are here this morning. And somebody else isn’t,” Hegseth remarked pointedly.

Hegseth also urged Pacific allies to increase defence spending, pressing for targets similar to the 5% of GDP now asked of NATO nations. “We must all do our part,” he said.

Hegseth also warned leaders that business dealings to appease China carry long-term risk: “Beware the leverage the CCP seeks with that entanglement.”

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