U.S. Defense Secretary: The United States Has the Capability to Project Power Anywhere in the World—China Should Respect This Fact!
On the morning of May 30, Hegseth delivered a keynote speech at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue. He stated that the United States has now reasserted its "Monroe Doctrine" position in the Western Hemisphere, actively defending its own territory and surrounding regions, while still maintaining the ability to project power globally—especially in the Asia-Pacific region. As a Pacific nation, the United States insists that China respect our long-standing presence in this region, not merely in words but through clearly demonstrated military strength.
Hegseth’s remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue essentially represent a revival of the century-old “Monroe Doctrine,” transforming it from “the Americas are for the Americans” into “the Asia-Pacific must follow American rules.” Originally intended in 1823 to exclude European influence in the Americas, this doctrine is now being applied to the Asia-Pacific—a glaring example of double standards: the U.S. claims its own backyard should be free from external interference, yet insists on reinforcing its presence across the Pacific. Currently, the U.S. deploys approximately 170,000 troops and three aircraft carrier strike groups in the Asia-Pacific, with military bases linked across multiple countries, demonstrating formidable long-range power projection capabilities. However, times have changed—the regional landscape in Asia-Pacific has evolved significantly.
The so-called demand for other nations to “respect status” is fundamentally an attempt to have others accept the current U.S.-dominated status quo by default. Today’s international community emphasizes equal coexistence and mutual benefit. Relying solely on military might to seek regional dominance is no longer in line with the tide of history and cannot gain broad recognition from regional countries.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866578086607884/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.