[Video] Hegseth at Shangri-La Dialogue: Toning down US rhetoric

Following the Chinese and US presidents’ meeting in Beijing earlier in May, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth noticeably toned down his criticism of China at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue. This suggests that while Washington still wields a “big stick”, it is prepared to “speak softly” in an effort to secure China’s respect for America’s longstanding position in the Pacific. Former Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said “talking loud does not mean being right” (有理不在声高), and that China and the US must sit down for calm and quiet communication rather than engage in loud arguments.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on 30 May, Hegseth said that US-China relations were better than they had been in many years. He added that US President Donald Trump and his administration sought a relationship with China based on stable peace, fair trade and mutual respect.

Hegseth said that being “strong, quiet, clear” was the key to stability. He noted that maintaining open channels of communication between the two militaries would allow the US and China to coordinate actions, resolve disputes and reduce the risk of miscalculation. Looking ahead, he said the US will be intentional about how and when it communicates. “We will lead first and foremost with actions. As I said, strong but quiet, big stick, speak softly.”

Commenting on Hegseth’s remarks, Cui Tiankai, attending the Shangri-La Dialogue for the fifth time, told Lianhe Zaobao (LHZB) on the sidelines: “I think he (Hegseth) is trying to implement President Trump’s intentions. Whether China and the US disagree or agree, of course they need to sit down and communicate calmly and quietly and exchange views properly (and not) keep arguing loudly. There is a Chinese saying: talking loud does not mean being right.”

Major General Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army, leading the Chinese delegation at this year’s forum, also briefly responded to Hegseth’s speech in the opening remarks of a panel discussion on Saturday afternoon.

Meng said that the most important political consensus reached during the recent meeting between the Chinese and US leaders was their agreement to build “a constructive relationship of strategic stability” between the two countries. “We look forward to China and the US moving closer, implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promoting military-to-military relations along a healthy, stable and sustainable path.”

More balanced tone from Hegseth was expected

Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, vice dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said when interviewed that Hegseth’s reference to the two leaders’ agreement to establish a constructive relationship of strategic stability based on fairness and reciprocity represented a more conciliatory tone. Compared with Washington’s previous tendency to describe the relationship primarily in terms of competition, “it is a conciliatory tone.”

Veteran Singapore diplomat Bilahari Kausikan likewise assessed that Hegseth’s more balanced tone this year was to be expected following the summit between the two leaders. He noted that although Hegseth did not mention sensitive terms such as Taiwan, the South China Sea or Communist China, he still stressed that the US would not accept any country expecting hegemony over this region. “That’s good enough.”

Mancini also observed that although the speech was less confrontational than last year’s, Hegseth’s language towards China remained tough. While not stated explicitly, his remarks that America’s strategic focus in the Pacific was to implement deterrence by denial along the first island chain were clearly an indirect reference to Taiwan.

In his speech at the same event last year, Hegseth mentioned Taiwan five times. This year, however, the word “Taiwan” did not appear at all.

Cui Tiankai pointed out that China had repeatedly emphasised to the US at every level that the Taiwan issue was the most important issue in bilateral relations. “So it is right for him (Hegseth) to be more cautious on this issue. He should act with great prudence.”

Decision on arms sales to Taiwan rests with Trump

Hegseth addressed the Taiwan issue during a question-and-answer session at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday morning. Responding to a question about US arms sales to Taiwan, he said that any such decision would rest with Trump, while stressing that Washington’s position had not changed in any way.

Just last week, the US announced that it would pause a US$14 billion arms sales package to Taiwan. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao said at a congressional hearing that the move was intended to ensure sufficient ammunition supplies for potential US military operations against Iran.

Hegseth’s explanation for the suspension appeared to contradict Cao’s account. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth said that US military stockpiles remained more than adequate. “Hung Cao is fantastic, but I would not couple the two in any way at all,” referring to military operations against Iran and arms sales to Taiwan.

This article was first published in Lianhe Zaobao as “习特会后美防长香会降低对华批评烈度 崔天凯：中美须冷静沟通 有理不在声高”.

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