SINGAPORE: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said stronger, more self-reliant allies are key to deterrence. “There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond, ” he said.

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