Pete Hegseth reaffirmed in a speech in Singapore that the U.S. does not seek conflict with China, but to deter China the U.S. "is preparing for war, to deter war."

The US pledges support for Indo-Pacific allies amid growing China threat, urging partners to boost their defense spending.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among world leaders, diplomats and top defense officials in Singapore this weekend for a security forum that comes amid concerns about China’s growing assertiveness,

China indicated it will not send its top military diplomat to a key defense forum in Asia for the first time since 2019, preventing a potential first encounter with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.China will be represented by a delegation from the People’s Liberation Army National Defense University at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue,

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned the United States and a large audience of Indo-Pacific nations that they risk a dangerous double standard as they concentrate on a potential conflict with China if that shift comes at the cost of abandoning Ukraine.

During 3-nation trip to Southeast Asia, French president says US, China should ‘respect our sovereignty and stability everywhere’ - Anadolu Ajansı

China will not send its defense minister to this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, shunning a chance to meet his US and Asian counterparts as tensions simmer with Washington.

China’s decision to skip ministerial-level representation at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue marks a return to a more cautious diplomatic posture, said analysts.