China accuses Hegseth of espousing ‘Cold War mentality’ for labeling country as a threat: ‘Vilified’
China Criticizes U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for Provocative Remarks on Indo-Pacific Threats
China has strongly criticized U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his recent remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, where he labeled China as a legitimate threat in the Indo-Pacific region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Hegseth of promoting a “Cold War mentality” and making defamatory allegations against China.
In a statement issued on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed outrage over Hegseth’s comments, stating that his remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord in the region. The spokesperson emphasized that China deplores and firmly opposes Hegseth’s characterization of China as a threat, and has lodged a strong protest with the U.S.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry further pointed out that no country in the world should be considered a hegemonic power except for the U.S., which it claimed is the primary factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The statement criticized Hegseth for ignoring calls for peace and development in the region and instead promoting a confrontational approach based on a Cold War mentality.
Hegseth’s speech at the security conference focused on the U.S. commitment to bolstering its defenses overseas to counter what he described as rapidly developing threats posed by China, particularly in relation to Taiwan. He warned that China is actively training for a potential military conflict with Taiwan and emphasized the need for the U.S. to take decisive action in response.
Responding to the dispute over Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that the matter is China’s internal affair and that the U.S. should refrain from interfering. The statement emphasized China’s commitment to the one-China principle and urged the U.S. to respect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
In addition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of deploying offensive weaponry in the South China Sea and exacerbating tensions in the region. The statement warned that the U.S. was turning the Asia-Pacific into a “powder keg” and called on the U.S. to respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang also denounced Hegseth’s remarks as provocative and misleading, claiming that they distorted China’s policy positions. The Chinese government called on the U.S. to stop inciting conflict and confrontation in the region and to work towards peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation.
As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate, the international community is closely monitoring developments in the Indo-Pacific region. It remains to be seen how the two countries will navigate their differences and whether they can find common ground to address shared challenges in a constructive manner.
