China has issued a forceful rebuke of recent comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, calling his remarks 'provocative' and 'divisive.' A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated Saturday that Washington's approach risks destabilizing Asia-Pacific security while violating the one-China principle on Taiwan.
Cold War Rhetoric Draws Criticism
The spokesperson accused Hegseth of promoting a 'Cold War mentality' by framing China as a regional threat, asserting that such narratives ignore widespread regional support for peaceful development. 'No country deserves the label of hegemonic power more than the United States itself,' the spokesperson said, citing U.S. military deployments in the South China Sea as key drivers of tension.
Taiwan: A Red Line for Beijing
Emphasizing that Taiwan is an 'inalienable part of China,' the spokesperson warned against U.S. support for 'Taiwan independence separatist forces,' urging Washington to stop 'playing with fire.' The remarks come amid increased U.S.-Taiwan unofficial exchanges, which Beijing views as challenges to its sovereignty.
South China Sea Peace at Stake
While defending China's maritime activities as lawful, the spokesperson accused the U.S. of being 'the primary factor' undermining stability in the South China Sea through freedom of navigation operations. China maintains it resolves disputes through dialogue with regional partners.
The exchange highlights growing U.S.-China friction as Asia-Pacific nations balance economic ties with Beijing against security partnerships with Washington. Analysts suggest the dialogue's tense atmosphere reflects broader struggles to define regional order amid shifting power dynamics.
