Hegseth Expounds Indo-Pacific Strategy in Congress: Ensure China Sees Undoubted US Military Strength

U.S. Defense official Pete Hegseth reiterated in Congress this week that the U.S. will deter China in the Indo-Pacific "by strength, not confrontation," stressing the importance of ensuring Beijing sees "undoubted US military strength."
調査NQ 0/100出典:PR Times

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  • 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 16:14
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Central News Agency, Washington, 1st (綜合外電報導)

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated this week that the United States will deter China in the Indo-Pacific region "by strength, not confrontation," adding that the U.S. "must ensure Beijing sees the unquestionable military strength of the United States."

According to a Voice of America (VOA) report, Hegseth also stated that the U.S. is not trying to "stifle" China's development, nor is it trying to "dominate or humiliate" China, and it will not attempt to change Taiwan's status quo.

Hegseth appeared before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on April 29th and 30th to defend the Department of War's fiscal year 2027 budget of up to $1.5 trillion.

In his written testimony, he listed four priorities for the Department of War, the first being the defense of the U.S. homeland, and the second being to deter China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, not confrontation. This is consistent with the content elaborated in the "2026 National Defense Strategy" released by the Department of War on January 23rd.

According to the report, Hegseth said in his written testimony that the goal the U.S. pursues in the Indo-Pacific is "a balance of power that allows all our nations to enjoy decent peace in the Indo-Pacific, a world where trade flows openly and fairly, everyone prospers, and all interests are respected."

He reiterated his stance on China from last year's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, stating, "We are not trying to 'stifle' China's development, nor are we trying to dominate or humiliate China, and we will not attempt to change Taiwan's status quo."

Nevertheless, Hegseth continued, the U.S. will, together with its allies, possess sufficient strength in the Indo-Pacific to counterbalance China's growing power, to "ensure that none of our allies suffer continuous and successful military aggression."

He said: "From this perspective, our role in the Department of War is crucial. Our duty is to ensure Beijing sees the unquestionable military strength of the United States, a strength that can defend our national interests when necessary." (Editor: Lu Ying-tzu) 1150502

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