China Responds to U.S. Defense Secretary's Remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue
Chinese Foreign Ministry criticizes U.S. statements as provocative amidst rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
BEIJING, May 31 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed strong condemnation of remarks made by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, labeling them as incendiary and detrimental to regional stability.
The spokesperson for the ministry articulated that Hegseth's statements disregarded calls from various countries for peace and development, while promoting a divisive Cold War mentality by labeling China as a 'threat.'
The official stressed that China views such comments as provocations aimed at sowing discord in the Asia-Pacific, asserting that the United States itself embodies hegemonic practices, which undermine peace in the region.
The ministry also highlighted concerns regarding the U.S. military presence in the South China Sea, alleging it contributes to escalating tensions and transforming the area into a volatile environment.
In reference to Taiwan, the spokesperson reiterated that the matter is strictly an internal issue for China, rejecting any notion that external powers could leverage it for political gain.
Emphasizing the one-China principle, China urged the U.S. to cease support for Taiwanese independence movements.
Concerning maritime issues, the spokesperson reiterated that China's commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea remains steadfast and asserted that the U.S. remains a principal source of instability in the region.
The ministry's remarks called on the United States to respect the efforts of regional nations to maintain peace and collaborate towards conflict resolution.
In a separate context, the Chinese envoy to the United Nations, Sun Lei, registered dissatisfaction with the recent U.S. handling of a Security Council resolution concerning South Sudan sanctions.
The U.S. rejection of regional proposals for an arms embargo exemption was noted as disappointing by the Chinese representative during the council discussions.
The UN Security Council recently renewed sanctions against South Sudan, a move criticized by Sun for inadequately addressing the political and economic realities in the nation since its independence in 2011. He remarked that current sanctions overly burden South Sudan’s capacity to ensure stability and meet national needs.
Meanwhile, at the international level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has engaged with various countries regarding the newly established International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
Wang praised Laos for its active participation in forming the organization, and expressed hopes that other countries, including Nepal and Mauritania, would join soon, signaling a growing commitment to dialogue-based conflict resolution among nations.
Additionally, China has initiated a visa-free policy for citizens from several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, effective from June 2025, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties and enhancing tourism.
The policy has been positively received in the region, with local representatives highlighting its potential to increase cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.
In economic news, China reported a slight improvement in manufacturing activity in May, though the official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained below the neutral mark, indicating ongoing contractions in the sector.
The manufacturing PMI rose to 49.5 from 49 in April, while the non-manufacturing PMI also showed marginal shifts amid a backdrop of cautious optimism among manufacturers.
The spokesperson for the ministry articulated that Hegseth's statements disregarded calls from various countries for peace and development, while promoting a divisive Cold War mentality by labeling China as a 'threat.'
The official stressed that China views such comments as provocations aimed at sowing discord in the Asia-Pacific, asserting that the United States itself embodies hegemonic practices, which undermine peace in the region.
The ministry also highlighted concerns regarding the U.S. military presence in the South China Sea, alleging it contributes to escalating tensions and transforming the area into a volatile environment.
In reference to Taiwan, the spokesperson reiterated that the matter is strictly an internal issue for China, rejecting any notion that external powers could leverage it for political gain.
Emphasizing the one-China principle, China urged the U.S. to cease support for Taiwanese independence movements.
Concerning maritime issues, the spokesperson reiterated that China's commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea remains steadfast and asserted that the U.S. remains a principal source of instability in the region.
The ministry's remarks called on the United States to respect the efforts of regional nations to maintain peace and collaborate towards conflict resolution.
In a separate context, the Chinese envoy to the United Nations, Sun Lei, registered dissatisfaction with the recent U.S. handling of a Security Council resolution concerning South Sudan sanctions.
The U.S. rejection of regional proposals for an arms embargo exemption was noted as disappointing by the Chinese representative during the council discussions.
The UN Security Council recently renewed sanctions against South Sudan, a move criticized by Sun for inadequately addressing the political and economic realities in the nation since its independence in 2011. He remarked that current sanctions overly burden South Sudan’s capacity to ensure stability and meet national needs.
Meanwhile, at the international level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has engaged with various countries regarding the newly established International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
Wang praised Laos for its active participation in forming the organization, and expressed hopes that other countries, including Nepal and Mauritania, would join soon, signaling a growing commitment to dialogue-based conflict resolution among nations.
Additionally, China has initiated a visa-free policy for citizens from several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, effective from June 2025, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties and enhancing tourism.
The policy has been positively received in the region, with local representatives highlighting its potential to increase cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.
In economic news, China reported a slight improvement in manufacturing activity in May, though the official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained below the neutral mark, indicating ongoing contractions in the sector.
The manufacturing PMI rose to 49.5 from 49 in April, while the non-manufacturing PMI also showed marginal shifts amid a backdrop of cautious optimism among manufacturers.
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