The U.S. Secretary of Defense called on Asian countries to increase their military spending to increase regional deterrence against China, which was "rehearsing for real deals" when taking over Taiwan.

Speaking to the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Pete Hegseth reiterated his commitment to increase the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region and outlined a range of new joint projects, including expanding opportunities for warship and aircraft maintenance, including in Australia.

"Our allies in the Indo-Pacific can and should upgrade their defenses," Heggs said.

"Everyone must make it clear that Beijing is reliably preparing to use military power to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific... There is no reason to add sugar to it. The threat posed by China is real, which may be imminent."

He said Donald Trump's administration has prompted European countries to increase their defensive spending, taking on a greater "burden" to deal with conflicts in the region, and it is time for Asian countries to do so.

Hegseth was spotted in March telling a signal group chat that Europe supports the region’s U.S. security “pathetic” and “freedom”, he told the Singapore meeting that it is “hard to believe” that he is saying so now, but Asian countries should “see European allies as a new example.”

“Deterrence is not cheap…time is crucial.”

He said Europe's refocusing on its region, especially Russia-Ukrainian War-enables the United States to shift its focus to "priority theaters" in the Indo-Pacific region.

Heggs said the United States did not seek "pressure" that Asian countries "embrace or adopt policies or ideologies" but wanted to "work with you, our common interests are aligned with peace and prosperity."

“We are not here to preach climate change or cultural issues to you,” he said. “But threats gather.

"We do not seek conflict with China. We do not seek to incite, conquer or humiliate China. Trump and our respect for China and its civilization. However, we will not be driven out of this critical region."

Heggs also swept the storm without any senior Chinese representatives at this year's conference. "We're here this morning, especially the others aren't," he said.

Hegseth also appeared to quote French President Emmanuel Macron at his meeting on Friday that “the (US) promise may not be the feeling of Ironclad, which is to welcome new instability”.

“If it is actually or perception is unilateral, it cannot be tec,” Hegseth said on Saturday. “With the burden on allies, we can increase our attention to the Indo-Pacific Theater in our priority theater.”

He said the U.S. will conduct "the first real-time test of Australia's mid-range capability system ever" in the coming months and expanded its cooperative and joint exercises. It will also establish maintenance capacity and capability programs in the region, including the P-8 radar system for the United States and its allies in Australia, while expanding regional ship repair contracts.

Hegseth's speech reiterated most of the Trump administration's defense and security stance - accusing the administration of the previous issue, pledging to strengthen the U.S. military and ensuring the U.S. border is protected from unregulated immigration, while repeating the plan to "take back the Panama Canal."

He said Trump spent 1tn $13% on defense next year, including the controversial gold dome.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who spoke in Singapore after his speech in Singapore, told reporters that his comments on the United States still remain in the Indo-Pacific region were welcomed, but he found that his words “especially friends in the Indo-Pacific compliments our friends.”

"I have to say his idea is that we're going to tangle ourselves around you - we don't need that language. We just have to stand together," Duckworth said.

“The United States is not asking people to choose between the United States and (China) … but we will make sure to uphold international norms and ask our friends to help us maintain them.”