{"id":21165,"date":"2026-05-30T15:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T15:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hegseth-praises-australia-for-stepping-up-as-he-shifts-tone-on-china\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T15:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T15:35:32","slug":"hegseth-praises-australia-for-stepping-up-as-he-shifts-tone-on-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hegseth-praises-australia-for-stepping-up-as-he-shifts-tone-on-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Hegseth praises Australia for \u2018stepping up\u2019 as he shifts tone on China"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\">\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-30T16:22:52+10:00\">May 30, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 4:22pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"30.386690647482\">\n<p><strong>Beijing: <\/strong>US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected claims that weapons sales to Taiwan had been paused due to the Iran war, as he chided allies for not spending enough on their own defence while praising Australia for &ldquo;stepping up&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>At the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, Asia&rsquo;s top defence summit, Hegseth also noted there was &ldquo;rightful alarm&rdquo; about Beijing&rsquo;s military build-up and assured allies that America remained committed to ensuring China was not allowed to dominate the region.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US appreciates Australia&rsquo;s investment in &ldquo;real combat power&rdquo;.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.126,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.126%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef8b47ec2960513108f77a2f43ff3dc8b8376527 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US appreciates Australia&rsquo;s investment in &ldquo;real combat power&rdquo;.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But he said relations with China were better than they had been in years in a less strident speech than he gave last year, reflecting a broader shift in the Trump administration&rsquo;s tone towards Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>He scolded &ldquo;free-riding&rdquo; allies who he said were not carrying their weight by investing enough in their own defences, but singled out Australia along with other Asian partners, including South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, while taking aim at Europe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"22.428974600188\">\n<p>&ldquo;Australia is stepping up. Together, we are expanding the rotational presence of US forces and collaborating to ensure our defence industrial bases build and sustain weapons required for a high-end fight,&rdquo; Hegseth told the room of top defence officials, diplomats and politicians.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We appreciate Australia&rsquo;s investment in real combat power and the commitment to integrate more deeply with the US joint force across South-East Asia.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anthony Albanese is still to meet Donald Trump in person.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.9805555555555555,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.9805555555555555%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ef181074c2c6a366bfb9016ba0e93c06c3e46f5edbadddf77dbd0c2259eae186 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>His comments will be welcomed by the Albanese government, which has pledged to invest an extra $53 billion in defence over the next decade &ndash; a figure that still falls short of Hegseth&rsquo;s call for Australia to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>Hegseth did not mention Taiwan or Iran in his speech, only discussing them in response to questions in the Q&amp;A section. On Iran, he noted &ldquo;any deal will be a good deal&rdquo; as negotiations with Tehran continue and said the US was ready to restart attacks if one couldn&rsquo;t be reached.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"29.31732776618\">\n<p>He said there had been no change to US policy on Taiwan and no link should be made between US arms stockpiles and the Iran war. But his remarks will likely do little to assuage anxiety in Taiwan about Trump&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to helping the democratic island defend itself as it waits on his decision to approve an estimated $US14 billion ($19.5 billion) arms package.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On the Taiwan arms sales, I would very much decouple the two, and we feel very good about our stockpiles, both how we use them, and in Epic Fury in this historic moment,&rdquo; Hegseth said, referring to the US military operation in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Any decision about future Taiwan arm sales, as the president said, will rest with him.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Defence Minister Richard Marles drew attention to Taiwan in his speech, noting the island had five separate cases of seabed cable damage in 2025. Taipei regularly accuses China-linked vessels of sea cable sabotage, which Beijing rejects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"18.942211055276\">\n<p>Without directly accusing China, Marles said the seabed was &ldquo;becoming a battlefield&rdquo; and called on Beijing to commit to transparency in its maritime operations.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Trump and Xi in Beijing on Thursday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.3040482342807924,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3040482342807924%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_55\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9ac4f49c6cfcf617c425c6ab5e874b119d8c24be 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&ldquo;Existing patterns of grey zone activity are not consistent with a peaceful and stable regional order,&rdquo; he said while appearing in a panel discussion at the summit on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Speculation about the Taiwan weapon sales mounted after Trump revealed he discussed them in recent meetings in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who wants the US to scale back or delay its arms package, and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island.<\/p>\n<p>Trump later described the arms sales as a &ldquo;very good negotiating chip&rdquo; with China.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25.611577964519\">\n<p>Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao seeded further doubt when he told a congressional hearing on May 21 that the package had been paused &ldquo;to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury&rdquo; &ndash; a claim Hegseth directly repudiated on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. White House officials have maintained that Trump has approved more weapons to Taiwan than any other president, including an $US11 billion package last year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Defence Minister Richard Marles said the seabed was &ldquo;becoming a battlefield&rdquo; and called on Beijing to commit to transparency in its maritime operations.&nbsp;\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.09,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.09%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ec07275f1e9a10bc7b6295b8fe3e120c24849e3f 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Defence Minister Richard Marles said the seabed was &ldquo;becoming a battlefield&rdquo; and called on Beijing to commit to transparency in its maritime operations.&nbsp;<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP <\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In his 2025 address, Hegseth adopted a more combative line on China, declaring the US had a renewed focus on deterring Beijing&rsquo;s growing military might and warned it would &ldquo;fight and win decisively&rdquo; if it sought a conflict over Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, Hegseth asserted that the US would seek to secure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific by being &ldquo;strong, quiet and clear&rdquo; while wielding a &ldquo;big stick&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25.040414507772\">\n<p>&ldquo;We share a clear-eyed assessment of that security environment and a mutual understanding that a Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power and undermine the equilibrium we all seek to preserve,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth speaking in Singapore on Saturday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.203,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.203%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44c0f8c47aaa780f98b3a7e2e0f07fdc3da7d691 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, said the shift in rhetoric was a noticeable departure from the past.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On China, something had clearly changed: this was perhaps the least confronting speech from a US administration in the 23-year history of the Shangri-La Dialogue,&rdquo; said Medcalf, who was attending the conference.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To be sure, secretary Hegseth called for securing peace by preparing for war in the First Island Chain, which includes Taiwan. But he also extolled the recent Trump-Xi summit and placed great weight on US-China relations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"8.8830188679245\">\n<p>&ldquo;The great uncertainty is whether this all reflects strength or vulnerability in the US negotiating position.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world.<\/i> <i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lisa Visentin\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e3b83e0cc0bded1ebecd9a7d4ebf56f2e94e07b8 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>Lisa Visentin is the North Asia correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in Beijing. She was previously a federal political correspondent based in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Hegseth praises Australia for &lsquo;stepping up&rsquo; as he shifts tone on China<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement May 30, 2026 &mdash; 4:22pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Beijing: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected claims that weapons sales to Taiwan had been paused due to the Iran war, as he chided allies for not spending&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/hegseth-praises-australia-for-stepping-up-as-he-shifts-tone-on-china\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Hegseth praises Australia for \u2018stepping up\u2019 as he shifts tone on China&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}