Pentagon chief warns China is "preparing" to use military force in Asia

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday warned that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia -- remarks that earned a sharp rebuke from Beijing.

The Pentagon chief was speaking at an annual security forum in Singapore, as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars with Beijing on trade, technology, and influence over strategic corners of the globe.

China's foreign ministry blasted the speech, saying it had "lodged solemn representations with the US side" over Hegseth's comments and taking particular exception to his remarks about Taiwan.

Trump has launched a trade war with China since taking office in January, sought to curb its access to key AI technologies and deepened security ties with allies such as the Philippines, which is engaged in escalating territorial disputes with Beijing.

"The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent," Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue, attended by defence officials from around the world.

Beijing is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific", he said.

Hegseth warned that the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal".

China has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan and held large-scale exercises around the self-governed democratic island that are often described as preparations for a blockade or invasion.

The United States was "reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China", Hegseth said, calling on US allies and partners in Asia to swiftly upgrade their defences in the face of mounting threats.

In Beijing, the foreign ministry said: "The US should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and must not play with fire."