Beijing says the US is promoting Cold War thinking after the US called China a threat to the region.
At a famous Singapore summit, China responded to US defense secretary Pete Hegses, who called Asian power a “terror to the region,” warning the US against “playing on fire” over Taiwan.
Speaking during the Shangri-La dialogue on Saturday, Hegses said China was “reliable” preparations for military action to change the balance of power in Asia, accusing Beijing of rehearsing a potential invasion in Taiwan.
China believes Taiwan, an island governed by individually ruled, is part of its territory and has pledged to unite it by force when necessary. Taiwan’s government rejects claims of sovereignty in Beijing, saying that only the people of the island can decide their future.
Hegseth’s remarks sparked a quick responsibilities from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He explained that action in the Asia-Pacific region would turn the region into “powder barrels.”
“The US should not entertain the illusion of using Taiwanese questions as a negotiation tip to contain China.
Heggs has called on Asia-Pacific allies, including major Security Ally Australia, to spend more on defense after warning of a “realistic and potentially pressing” threat from China.
Beijing called the “real unstable” force in the Asia-Pacific region, accusing Washington of deploying offensive weapons in the South China Sea, exacerbating tensions in the region.
Beijing accused Hegses of “Chinaization of China with a slanderous allegation,” and accused him of promoting a “Cold War thinking.”
“Hegses intentionally ignored calls for peace and development by the countries in the region, instead promoting the idea of the Cold War for the Bullock’s conflict, threatening China with defamatory allegations, and mistakenly calling China a threat,” the province said, adding that he had submitted a formal protest with the United States, known as “inflammatory rhetoric.”
China and the Philippines are fighting for sovereignty over several islands and atolls in the South China Sea, with maritime driving increasing among coastal classes as both compete to patrol the ocean.
Beijing also rejected US claims about threats to maritime voyages, claiming it consistently promoted dialogue to resolve regional disputes and protected territorial rights within the scope of international law.
“The United States is the biggest factor undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the statement read.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security forum, and Beijing sent a delegation of lower delegates instead.
Since 2019, China has not sent a defense minister to a high-level dialogue on regional defense, except in cases where events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tensions are already higher between China and the US than Trump’s ongoing trade war and tariff threats.