TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore on Saturday that the China threat is real and an invasion of Taiwan “could be imminent.”

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, Hegseth warned of China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific and its hegemonic intentions, according to the Financial Times.  

In what was his second visit to Asia as defense secretary, Hegseth called on allies in Asia to increase defense spending to counter China’s ambitions. He said, if not, the consequences could be ruinous.

“Any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,” he was reported as saying. “There is no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent. We hope not, but it certainly could be.”

He added that China is no longer merely building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it’s “actively training for it, every day.”

China has previously stated that it wants to have the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027. It has increased its gray-zone activities of flying sorties and patrolling the Taiwan Strait, in addition to holding more military exercises around the country.

It is also challenging countries like the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam over control of islands in the South China Sea. Furthermore, it has built islands to support new military outposts and developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities.

Hegseth is calling for nations in the region to increase defense spending to around 5% of their gross domestic product.