At the annual summit in Singapore, Pentagon Chief Warns of Imminent China Threat, Urges Asian Allies to Boost Defense Spending. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made headlines this weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, warning that the China threat is real and potentially imminent. Speaking to military leaders, diplomats, and analysts at Asia’s most important defense forum, Hegseth urged Asian allies to ramp up defense spending and prepare for growing regional instability.