Ankara: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Saturday that relations between Washington and Beijing have improved following the recent summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He also urged Japan to further strengthen its defense capabilities amid growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, described the Trump-Xi meeting as a positive step toward stabilizing ties between the world's two largest economies. He emphasized that the United States seeks a constructive relationship with China while remaining committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth cautioned against complacency regarding China's expanding military power, underscoring the necessity for regional allies to continue investing in their own defense capabilities to preserve stability and deterrence.

Addressing Japan's defense strategy, Hegseth praised Tokyo's recent efforts to boost defense spending but noted the need for additional measures. He remarked that Japan is moving in the right direction but has not yet reached its defense goals.

According to The Japan Times, Hegseth welcomed Japan's increased military investments but stressed that further progress is necessary as the country works toward its long-term security objectives. His remarks come as Japan pursues its most significant military buildup in decades in response to a changing regional security environment.

Hegseth's comments reflect Washington's broader push for greater burden-sharing among allies as concerns grow over China's military modernization and increasingly assertive posture in the region. His remarks highlighted the Biden administration's - now continued under Trump - dual-track approach of maintaining dialogue with Beijing while strengthening security partnerships across Asia.