China Urges U.S. to ‘Stop Inciting Conflict’ in Asia-Pacific Region in Blistering Response to Hegseth

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for promoting a “cold war mentality” and claiming that China poses a real threat. The ministry urged the U.S. to stop escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and respect the efforts of countries in the area to maintain peace and stability.

The rebuke came after Hegseth spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference in Singapore, warning about China’s ambitions in Asia and its actions in the region. China responded by stating that Taiwan is an internal affair and accused the U.S. of interfering in the South China Sea.

Tensions have been rising between Taiwan and China, with both countries increasing their military presence in the South China Sea. While the U.S. does not seek war or regime change, it aims to ensure that China cannot dominate the region or its allies. The U.S. and China are also engaged in a trade war, with disagreements over tariffs and trade agreements.

Despite the tensions, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence that trade matters between the U.S. and China can be resolved through discussions between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. However, some voices, like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, suggest that the U.S. should focus on improving its own capabilities rather than viewing China as the biggest threat.