In response to allegations made by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, China’s defense ministry declared on Sunday that Washington often uses the forum to “ignite disputes, create division, and pursue its own interests.”
Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that “China’s armed forces will collaborate with other nations in the region to counter hegemonic practices that threaten stability in the Asia-Pacific.” This statement was shared on the ministry’s WeChat account.
China’s foreign ministry lodged a protest against Hegseth’s derogatory remarks, accusing the U.S. of disregarding calls for peace from neighboring countries.
China objected to Hegseth’s characterization of it as a threat in the Indo-Pacific, labeling his comments made during the Shangri-La Dialogue as “regrettable.”
According to the ministry, “Hegseth consciously overlooked regional calls for peace and development, instead promoting a Cold War mentality and maligning China with slanderous claims, labeling it a ‘threat.’”
Furthermore, the ministry remarked, “The U.S. has stationed offensive weapons in the South China Sea, exacerbating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, which is becoming increasingly volatile.”
During the dialogue, Hegseth urged allies in the Indo-Pacific, especially Australia, to enhance defense spending, highlighting the “real and potentially imminent” threat posed by China.
In response, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed his government’s commitment to increase defense funding by an additional A$10 billion (approximately $6 billion), stating, “We will refine our defense policy,” as per a transcript of his remarks.
This year, in line with established defense agreements with the Philippines, the U.S. deployed Typhoon missile launchers capable of targeting both China and Russia from Luzon island.
China and the Philippines are engaged in territorial disputes over various islands and atolls in the South China Sea, resulting in escalating maritime confrontations between their coast guards.
China’s representatives at the forum asserted that “external intervention” poses the most significant risk to stability in the South China Sea and claimed that the country had demonstrated “goodwill and restraint” in discussions on the matter.
Senior Colonel Zhang Chi from the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University noted that “Certain foreign powers have dispatched warplanes and naval vessels to the South China Sea under the guise of ‘freedom of navigation’.”
He further argued that such actions violate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
The United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines have all engaged in joint maritime operations in this crucial waterway.
China asserts that it claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, which includes portions of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
China’s foreign ministry also advised the U.S. against “playing with fire” regarding Taiwan.
Hegseth warned that any attempt by China to take control of Taiwan would have “catastrophic consequences,” during his speech at the key forum for Asia’s defense leaders, military personnel, and diplomats.
