China-US Rift Deepens in Shangri-La Dialogue Shadow

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China Slams U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Shangri-La Remarks, Accuses US of Sowing Division and Undermining Regional Peace

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 1, 2025 –China’s Foreign Ministry issued a scathing rebuke of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, accusing him of ignoring regional calls for peace and development, promoting a “Cold War mentality,” and falsely labelling China as a “threat.”

The ministry described Hegseth’s comments as “filled with provocations” and intended to “sow division,” prompting China to lodge a strong protest with the United States.

In a strongly worded statement, the Foreign Ministry declared that “no country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the US itself,” pointing to US actions as the “primary factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.”

China accused the US of deploying offensive weaponry in the South China Sea and stoking tensions to advance its “so-called Indo-Pacific strategy,” warning that such moves risk turning the region into a “powder keg” and deepening concerns among regional nations.

On the issue of Taiwan, China reiterated that it is an “internal affair” and warned the US against using it as “leverage” against Beijing. “The US must never play with fire on this question,” the statement emphasized, urging Washington to fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués while ceasing support for “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

Addressing the South China Sea issue, the ministry asserted that freedom of navigation and overflight has “never been a problem” and highlighted China’s commitment to resolving differences through dialogue while safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. It accused the US of being the “primary factor” destabilizing the region.

China called on the US to respect regional efforts to maintain peace, stop inciting conflict, and refrain from escalating tensions, warning that such actions threaten the stable environment valued by Asia-Pacific nations.

Hegseth’s Remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue

The Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security forum held in Singapore, brings together defence ministers, military leaders, and policymakers to discuss critical security issues in the Asia-Pacific. During the 22nd edition, held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, Hegseth delivered a speech that drew sharp criticism from China. Hegseth described China as a “threat” in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting concerns over its actions in the South China Sea and its stance toward Taiwan. He emphasized the US’s commitment to its Indo-Pacific strategy, which includes strengthening alliances, bolstering military presence, and ensuring freedom of navigation in contested waters.

Hegseth’s remarks come amid heightened US-China tensions, with Washington accusing Beijing of militarizing the South China Sea and undermining regional stability, while China counters that US military deployments and support for Taiwan fuel conflict. The US has long upheld the one-China principle but continues to provide defensive arms to Taiwan and conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, actions Beijing views as provocative.

China’s response, echoed by its Foreign Ministry, state media, and officials like Hu Gangfeng, Vice President of the National Defense University, reflects Beijing’s frustration with what it sees as US interference and a “Cold War mentality” aimed at containing its rise. The exchange underscores ongoing friction over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and competing visions for the Asia-Pacific’s future.

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