US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday delivered a blunt warning to Indo-Pacific allies, saying China is actively preparing to take Taiwan and that the region may be facing a rapidly approaching military crisis.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has called on Indo-Pacific allies to increase their defense spending in the face of a "real" threat from China. Hegseth made the remarks at the Shangri-La security summit in Singapore.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific on Saturday that they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defense.