U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning Saturday that the Chinese military may be preparing for a forthcoming attack on Taiwan.
According to Fox News, speaking at a major defense summit in Singapore, Hegseth pointed to a pattern of military exercises, political messaging, and cyber intrusions as signs that Beijing is moving closer to launching a full-scale invasion of the self-governed island.
Hegseth delivered his remarks during the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference, where defense leaders from around the world gathered to discuss regional and global threats. He stated that China’s armed forces appear to be “rehearsing for the real deal,” suggesting a possible invasion of Taiwan could occur shortly. The Pentagon chief emphasized that the United States is taking the threat seriously and urged global preparedness.
Chinese military drills in recent months have grown in complexity and scale. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted exercises simulating blockades, amphibious landings, and encirclements around Taiwan, which U.S. officials interpret as strategic preparations for a military operation. These actions, according to Hegseth, reflect more than routine training and signal a shift in Chinese intent.
Alongside traditional military maneuvers, China has expanded gray-zone tactics designed to destabilize Taiwan without triggering open warfare. This includes cyberattacks targeting key infrastructure, coordinated disinformation efforts, and deployment of maritime militia vessels in contested waters. U.S. defense analysts say these hybrid strategies are designed to weaken Taiwan’s defenses ahead of any armed confrontation. The PLA’s logistical operations have intensified across the region. Notably, Beijing has deployed H-6 bomber aircraft, which are capable of delivering nuclear payloads, to islands in the South China Sea. Civilian ferries are also being modified to transport troops and tanks, suggesting dual-use capabilities aimed at facilitating amphibious assaults.
Signs of Larger Strategic Planning Underway
American intelligence agencies report that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has instructed top military units to be ready for a Taiwan contingency by 2027. The deadline is viewed by many analysts as a guiding timeline for Beijing to achieve operational readiness for an invasion. Infrastructure developments and equipment deployments over the past year indicate China is on track to meet that objective. In Fujian Province, situated across the Taiwan Strait, rapid construction of docks, military airfields, and transport hubs has supported this narrative. These facilities serve dual purposes, accommodating both civilian and military needs, but their layout and capabilities suggest they are optimized for launching cross-strait missions.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has responded with heightened military readiness. On March 21, Taiwan's President William Lai, alongside National Security Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Defense Minister Wellington Koo, visited frontline troops at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei during a Rapid Response Exercise. The visit underscored Taiwan’s internal focus on enhancing its self-defense capabilities amid the growing threat.
Escalation Includes Rising Airspace Incursions
Beijing has continued to probe Taiwan’s defenses through constant pressure on its airspace. In the first few months of 2025 alone, the PLA has conducted over 1,200 sorties into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This sustained presence not only increases tension but also forces Taiwan to stretch its surveillance and response capacity.
Hegseth emphasized the coordination between China’s military buildup and its broader foreign policy moves. Beijing’s expansion into Latin America, including investment packages under the Belt and Road Initiative and strategic moves surrounding the Panama Canal, reflects a global push to strengthen its geopolitical position. While not directly linked to Taiwan, analysts say this expansion validates Beijing’s broader strategy of growing global influence that could support potential military actions.
In parallel with physical developments, China has ramped up its political efforts to justify action against Taiwan. Through state-controlled messaging, educational programs, and public speeches, Beijing has intensified the narrative of Taiwan as an inseparable part of China. This campaign aims to normalize the idea of reunification and increase domestic and international acceptance of forceful measures.
China Dismisses U.S. Claims as Unfounded
China's defense delegation in Singapore, led by Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, flatly rejected the U.S. assessments. Hu denounced the concerns as “completely fabricated” and accused the U.S. of distorting reality for political ends. He dismissed the warnings as an example of false accusations designed to stir mistrust.
Despite the denials, U.S. officials argue that the combination of increased military drills, regional influence campaigns, and hybrid warfare techniques closely mirrors patterns observed before past international conflicts. Washington believes the sheer volume and coordination of these efforts indicate purposeful escalation, not coincidence. The Biden administration continues to urge collective deterrence among allies to prevent an open conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Defense Secretary Hegseth underscored that improving U.S. intelligence, reinforcing strategic alliances, and enhancing regional readiness are essential in counteracting Beijing’s rising pressure on Taiwan.
Allies Urged to Maintain Military Readiness
As global attention remains fixed on East Asia, American defense leaders say proactive deterrence is the best way to avoid war. Officials warn that while direct hostilities have not yet begun, the international community cannot take Beijing’s activities lightly. The tangible preparations on China's side call for an equally serious strategic response.
While Taiwan maintains its independent political and economic systems, Beijing continues to view the island as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. With the situation rapidly evolving, both rhetoric and actions from all sides will be closely observed in the months ahead. Whether the buildup leads to actual conflict or remains a high-pressure standoff will depend on decisions made in capitals across the Indo-Pacific. The importance of diplomatic communication and military caution has perhaps never been more critical.
