Hegseth urges Asian allies to ramp up military spending

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The US Defence Secretary has urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China's growing power. Speaking at the key Asian defence summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Pete Hegseth said alarm over Beijing’s rapid military build-up was understandable. He said no state, including China, can dominate Asia without unravelling the regional balance of power. Also in the programme: one of America's top orchestras has a female lead; and mixed martial arts at the White House. Presenter Julian Worricker is joined by Kathleen Stock, a UK-based writer, cultural commentator and contributing editor to the online news and opinion website, Unherd; and Chris Michael, US editor for the Guardian newspaper based here in London. (Photo: Delegates view U.S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore May 30, 2026. CREDIT: REUTERS/Caroline Chia)