Hegseth warns China poses 'imminent' threat to Taiwan and urges Asia to boost defence2 days ago Share Save Tessa Wong • tessa_wong BBC News Reporting from Shangri-la Dialogue, Singapore Share SaveGetty Images The US defense secretary warned that China poses a real threat to TaiwanUS Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned of China posing an "imminent" threat to Taiwan, while urging Asian countries to boost defence spending and work with the US to deter war. Many in Asia fear potential instability if China invades Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by Beijing. China "is building the military needed to do it, training for it, every day and rehearsing for the real deal", Hegseth said. The threat China poses is real. The US does not seek war or conflict with China, Hegseth added.