Chinese officials have accused U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of perpetuating a ‘Cold War mentality’ in his recent public remarks, which they say wrongly characterized China as a threat. The accusation came in the wake of Hegseth’s speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, where he reportedly warned of the growing military assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement condemned the remarks as ‘provocations’ aimed at sowing discord and undermining diplomatic efforts to maintain peace and development in the region.
In response to the Chinese backlash, Hegseth reiterated U.S. commitments to bolster its military defenses overseas, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, to counter what the Pentagon describes as a potential threat from mainland China. This comes amid ongoing tensions over Taiwan, where the U.S. has increasingly taken a more assertive stance, including through military aid and diplomatic pressure. Chinese officials have strongly rejected these actions, emphasizing that the issue of Taiwan is purely an internal matter and that the U.S. should refrain from interfering.
The dispute has also intensified with accusations from the Chinese side that the United States is stoking regional tensions through its military deployments in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry statement claimed that the region has never been a problem for ‘freedom of navigation’ and that the U.S. is the primary factor undermining peace and stability in the area. In contrast, Hegseth has insisted that the U.S. and its allies must work together to counter the growing military capabilities of China, which the Pentagon views as a persistent threat.
While both sides have maintained a firm stance, the situation underscores the deepening geopolitical divide between the world’s two largest economies. The recent trade deal between the U.S. and China to reduce tariffs, while seen as a temporary fix, has not resolved the underlying tensions. Meanwhile, the rhetoric from both governments has only intensified, with Trump expressing continued concern over China’s trade practices and accusing Beijing of breaching previous agreements. The standoff appears to be escalating, raising concerns about the potential for further conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.