NORTH Korea and its nuclear weapons program poses a “threat to us all,” and the US says it is a “clear and present danger”.

Pentagon chief and US Defence Secretary James Mattis has called on the international community to work together to stop the rogue nation in its tracks.

“It is therefore imperative that we do our part each of us to fulfill our obligations and work together to support our shared goal of denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula,” Mattis said in a policy speech at the Shangri-La defence summit in Singapore.

Pyongyang test-fired another rocket, the latest in a series of launches and atomic tests that have ratcheted up tensions over its quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States -- something President Donald Trump has said “won’t happen”.

“The regime’s actions are manifestly illegal under international law,” Mattis said.

“There is a strong international consensus that the current situation cannot continue. China’s declared policy of a denuclearised Korean Peninsula is our policy as well, and also that of Japan and the Republic of Korea.” Trump -- who frequently denounced China on the campaign trail -- has turned to Beijing to help rein in North Korea’s weapons program.

Mattis’s challenge on his visit is to reassure allies that America can apply pressure on China over its claims in the South China Sea, while at the same time convincing Beijing that controlling North Korea is in its own security interests.

“The Trump administration is encouraged by China’s renewed commitment to work with the international community toward denuclearisation,” Mattis said

He also said he thinks China, which is North Korea’s closest ally, ultimately will see it as a liability.

China blocked tough new sanctions against North Korea that the United States pushed in the U.N. Security Council on Friday. However, the Security Council did vote unanimously to add 15 individuals and four entities linked to the North’s nuclear and missile programs to a U.N. sanctions blacklist.

In his speech, Mattis sought to balance his hopeful comments on China with sharp criticism of what he called Beijing’s disregard for international law by its “indisputable militarisation” of artificial islands in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

“We cannot and will not accept unilateral, coercive changes to the status quo” in the South China Sea, he said.

“While competition between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, is bound to occur, conflict is not inevitable,” he said.

“Our two countries can and do cooperate for mutual benefit. We will work closely with China where we share common cause.”

The U.S. has about 28,500 troops permanently based in South Korea, a defense treaty ally.

“While the North Korean regime has a long record of murder of diplomats, of kidnapping, killing of sailors, and criminal activity, its nuclear weapons program is a threat to all,” Mattis said, adding, “As a matter of national security, the United States regards the threat from North Korea as a clear and present danger.”

Mattis noted that last week the Pentagon conducted what it called a successful test of its missile defense system, which is being developed mainly with North Korea in mind. An interceptor launched from coastal California soared over the Pacific on Tuesday, scoring what officials called a direct hit on a target missile fired from a Pacific test range. It was the first time the system had been tested against a missile of intercontinental range.

TURNBULL WARNS OF CHINA’S BULLY TACTICS

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has rejected any suggestion Australia may be seen by China as America’s deputy sheriff in the region.

Mr Turnbull spoke of the anxiety surrounding a more powerful China and warned against its rejected of rules-based order on territorial issues like the hotly contested South China Sea during a keynote address at a security summit in Singapore on Friday night.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Turnbull “absolutely rejected” there was a danger Australia could be viewed by China as America’s deputy sheriff or “cat’s paw”, adding “Australia’s foreign policy is conducted in Australia’s national interest and Australia’s national interest alone”.

Mr Turnbull has issued his strongest statement yet against China’s moves in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to respect the sovereignty of others nations or risk its regional alliances.

Addressing a security summit of global leaders in Singapore last night, the Prime Minister warned China against forceful behaviour claiming other countries would counterweight Beijing’s power by bolstering relations with the United States.

“If we are to maintain the dynamism of the region then we must preserve the rules-based structure that has enabled it thus far,” he said.

“This means cooperation not unilateral actions to seize or create territory or militarise disputed areas.”

Mr Turnbull also used his highly-anticipated speech at the Shangri-La Defence dialogue to encourage China to build global trust by helping to curb the “reckless and dangerous conduct of North Korea”.

Pointing to “now palpable tensions” on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea, Mr Turnbull sent a clear message — that while countries like Australia and Singapore might be “smaller fish”, they value their sovereignty.

Going straight to the heart of rising concerns over the contested waters, Mr Turnbull said: “Maintaining the rule of law in our region, respecting the sovereignty of nations large and small is the key to continued peace and stability.”

The rapid rise of a new power creates anxiety and China’s rise had become the “topic of most intense debate”, he added.

China would best succeed, he said, by respecting the sovereignty of others and building on trust and co-operation.

“A coercive China would find its neighbours resenting demands they cede their autonomy and strategic space, and look to counterweight Beijing’s power by bolstering alliances and partnerships, between themselves and especially with the United States.”

Speaking in front of senior Chinese officials and US Defence Secretary James Mattis, the Prime Minister also argued that Australia does not have to chose between Washington and Beijing.

“Neither constrain us in our dealings with each other - our foreign policy is determine in Australia’s interest,” he said.

“Our alliance with the United States reflects a deep alignment of interests and values but it has never been a straitjacket for Australian policymaking.”

One day after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a global climate agreement, Mr Turnbull also smacked down the US’s isolationist approach, calling on world leaders to reject the “de-globalisation impulse” and embrace economic integration.

Amid rising concern in the region of America’s unpredictable foreign policy, Mr Turnbull said while the US withdrawal from the trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and now from the Paris Climate Change Agreement was “disappointing ... we should take care not to rush to interpret an intent to engage on different terms as one not to engage at all”.

His comments come after veteran US Senator John McCain this week in Sydney suggested Australia consider joining patrols of the South China Sea.

Pointing to the construction of artificial islands and militarisation of the sea — which is a vital trade route for Australia — Mr McCain said “as China has grown wealthier and stronger, it seems to be acting more and more like a bully”.

The risk of returning foreign fighters from the Middle East is expected to be high on the agenda for leaders at the two-day summit

Following a spate of recent terror attacks in Asia, Mr Turnbull also called for global collaboration to fight against Islamic State.

“We all have a vested interest in each other’s security, we all have a vested interest in each other defeating terrorist movements wherever they arrive.”

“Just as the terrorists networks are transnational so must be our collaboration - and nowhere more so in sharing intelligence.”

Earlier on Friday, Mr Turnbull met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long, talking up the friendship between two countries and touching on the threat of terrorism.

Referring to the ongoing battle in the southern city of Marawi in the Philippines between IS-linked terrorists and government forces, Mr Turnbull said the threat of returning foreign fighters was a “very real one” in the region.

“With the bitter memory of the 2002 Bali bombing, I am keenly alert to the risk that the next mass casualty attack on Australian victims could well be somewhere in Southeast Asia, where ISIL propaganda has galvanised existing networks of extremists and attracted new recruits,” Mr Turnbull said.

- with wires