Hagerty’s First Visit to Indo-Pacific Emphasizes Cooperation with Allies to Deter Chinese Communist Party

On March 25th, Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense of the United States, delivered a speech at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI-APCSS) in Hawaii, where he outlined his overall vision for the Department of Defense’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, established by the US Department of Defense in 1995, has been a key platform for defense and foreign affairs-related programs, inviting military and civilian officials from Indo-Pacific countries to address the region’s security challenges through alumni networks and cooperation.

The center has long been focusing on issues such as Chinese expansion, military threats, and supply chain dependencies, serving as a crucial pillar for strengthening regional deterrence and alliance cooperation.

In his speech to military and political leaders within the US Indo-Pacific Command’s responsibility area, Hegseth emphasized the significance of addressing this group as it was his first opportunity to do so since taking office.

Hegseth highlighted the importance of the specialized training many in the audience had received at a platform dedicated to studying Indo-Pacific affairs and fostering regional security leader connections, stating that their relationship and teamwork form the cornerstone for peace through strength.

To achieve the “peace through strength” strategy, Hegseth reiterated the three core principles he laid out in his address to the troops on January 25, 2025: restoring warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and enhancing deterrence capability.

By restoring the warrior ethos, Hegseth envisions the stationed US troops in the Indo-Pacific becoming the best-trained and equipped forces globally, noting the increasing recruitment numbers across all branches that have been acknowledged by adversaries.

Regarding rebuilding the military, the Department of Defense will collaborate closely with the defense industry to rapidly and adequately supply necessary equipment to operational personnel.

Hegseth mentioned the center’s efforts in researching the supply chain security of US weapon systems and evaluating potential international partnerships for producing and maintaining US military platforms and ammunition.

He urged the continuation of these critical efforts, emphasizing their increasing importance, now more than ever.

In terms of enhancing deterrence capability, Hegseth emphasized standing united with allies and partners to deter Chinese aggression, believing that every regional ally, partner, and friend contributes uniquely to the deterrence system.

In his concluding remarks, Hegseth called upon regional allies to reaffirm their commitment to building partnerships and collectively striving to reconstruct a deterrence mechanism, ultimately achieving the vision of “peace through strength”.

“No one should doubt America’s determination to safeguard its interests in the Indo-Pacific and globally,” Hegseth stressed.

“We will rebuild the world’s most powerful, effective, and lethal deterrence force… and with the collaboration and support of capable, like-minded allies and partners, we will achieve this goal,” he added.

As part of his first official visit to the Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility, Hegseth’s focus in Hawaii was on meetings with local civilian and military leaders.

Following his Hawaii visit, he plans to visit Guam, the Philippines, and Japan to confer with senior US military and political figures stationed there.

Moreover, Hegseth intends to participate in a series of international bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening US ally relationships and partnership cooperation to advance a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.