China has sharply condemned remarks made by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who accused Beijing of military preparations aimed at altering the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region, issuing a stern warning to Washington “not to play with fire” over the issue of Taiwan.
Speaking at an international summit in Singapore, the Pentagon chief asserted that Beijing is “preparing” for the potential use of military force, noting that Chinese armed forces are “training daily” for a possible “invasion” of Taiwan.
Beijing Files Formal Protests Over Hegseth’s Comments
In a statement released shortly after midnight local time, China’s Foreign Ministry announced it had lodged “solemn representations to the US side,” “strongly condemning” Hegseth’s statements.
“The US should not attempt to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China, and should not play with fire,” the Beijing statement warned.
China, which opted not to send its defence minister to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue – Asia’s premier security and defence forum – reiterated its consistent position that “the Taiwan issue” is purely an “internal affair” of China, in which foreign countries have no right to interfere. Beijing considers the self-governed island, with its democratically elected government, part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to regain control.
South China Sea Tensions Also Flare
Hegseth also highlighted a recent increase in incidents involving Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of “illegally occupying and militarising” disputed islands, islets, and reefs, particularly those claimed by the Philippines.
Citing historical arguments, Beijing claims nearly all islands, islets, and reefs in the South China Sea and disputes the conclusions of an international arbitration tribunal that found China’s claims to have no legal basis. The Chinese Foreign Ministry countered Hegseth’s comments by asserting that “there has never been a problem” with navigation in that maritime area.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasised that China is “committed to defending its national sovereignty and its maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law.” Beijing further accused Washington of transforming the Asia-Pacific region into a “powder keg,” criticising the deployment of weapons and various military assets in the South China Sea.
According to the Trump administration official, the Asia-Pacific region is now a “priority theatre” of operations, and the US is “recalibrating” its strategy to “deter any aggression by communist China.” He pointed to strengthened cooperation with Japan and the Philippines, traditional US allies in the region, as well as efforts to deepen ties with India. “America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific, and we are here to stay,” he declared.
“The threat posed by China is real and could be immediate,” Hegseth underscored, amidst escalating tensions since President Trump’s return to the White House in January.
