China's defense ministry has sharply criticized the United States for allegedly using Asia's premier security summit to escalate tensions, marking a new flashpoint in geopolitical rivalries during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang condemned U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent remarks as containing "entrenched hegemonic logic" and "Cold War mentality" that threaten regional stability. The statement issued Sunday evening accused Washington of distorting China's policies while disregarding joint efforts by Asian nations to maintain peace.
"The U.S. approach grossly violates China's sovereign rights and severely deviates from the global aspiration for development," Zhang said, emphasizing Beijing's "grave dissatisfaction" with what it views as provocative rhetoric. The annual security dialogue brings together defense officials from over 40 countries and regions.
Analysts suggest the exchange highlights growing friction as both powers vie for influence in the Asia-Pacific. While U.S. officials have emphasized alliance-building, Chinese representatives maintain their country promotes "win-win cooperation" through initiatives like the Global Security Initiative.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of military activities in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, with regional governments urging restraint. Business leaders and policymakers worldwide are closely monitoring how these tensions might impact trade routes and economic partnerships in one of the world's most dynamic regions.
