The defense secretary said Asia is the administration’s priority region.

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.

The Pentagon chief made the remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore, where he pressed US allies and partners in Asia to step up defence spending

Asian allies and partners should look to countries in Europe as a new-found example,” he said. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.