Beijing - Saba:
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing strongly condemns and opposes the negative statements made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about China during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue.
"China strongly condemns and opposes the US Defense Secretary's negative remarks about China at the Shangri-La Dialogue," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency on Saturday. He added, "Hegseth deliberately ignored the call for peace and development made by countries in the region, instead promoting a Cold War mentality of bloc confrontation, slandering China with slanderous allegations, and falsely labeling China a 'threat'."
The spokesperson added, "These remarks were full of provocation and aimed at sowing division. China strongly condemns and opposes them, and has lodged solemn representations with the United States."
The spokesperson noted that no country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the United States itself, which is also the main factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
To consolidate its hegemony and promote the so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy," the United States has deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea and continued to fuel conflicts and create tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, turning the region into a powder keg and arousing deep concern among its countries.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair, and no country has the right to interfere. He continued, "The United States should never imagine that it can use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip on China. It must never play with fire on this issue. China urges the United States to fully adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between the two countries, and to stop supporting and encouraging separatist forces advocating so-called 'Taiwan independence'."
The spokesperson continued, "In the South China Sea, there has never been any problem regarding freedom of navigation and overflight," adding that China is always committed to working with relevant countries to properly resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, while at the same time safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations.
The spokesperson added, "The United States is the main factor harming peace and stability in the South China Sea."
The spokesperson concluded by saying that China urges the United States to show full respect for the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability, stop deliberately destroying the peaceful and stable environment that the region cherishes, and refrain from inciting conflict and confrontation and escalating tensions in the region.
In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Hegseth described the Chinese threat as "real and possibly imminent," noting that "Beijing seeks hegemony in Asia and continues to strengthen its military capabilities, particularly in preparation for a possible invasion of Taiwan."
He emphasized strengthening military cooperation with Washington's allies in the region, such as Japan, the Philippines, and India, as part of efforts to deter any Chinese aggression.
Hegseth called on Asian countries to "increase defense spending," comparing this to the "progress" made by NATO in Europe. He said that "deterrence requires sustained effort and preparedness."
Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing considers the island a province, while Taiwan asserts that it is "a self-governing state but has not yet declared independence."
Beijing opposes any official contacts between foreign countries and Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.
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