Sun Jun 01 09:27:43 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Tensions escalate between the US and China after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled China a “threat to the region” at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Hegseth accused China of preparing for military action against Taiwan, prompting a strong rebuke from Beijing. China warned the US against using Taiwan as leverage and accused Washington of destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region with offensive weapons deployments and a “Cold War mentality.” China also defended its actions in the South China Sea and criticized the US for undermining regional peace. China’s Defence Minister skipped the event, further highlighting the strained relations between the two nations.
**News Article:**
**China Accuses US of “Cold War Mentality” After Defense Secretary’s Threat Claims**
**Singapore** – Tensions between the United States and China have flared after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused China of posing a “threat to the region” at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend. The strong words drew a sharp response from Beijing, which accused the US of “playing with fire” over Taiwan and adopting a “Cold War mentality.”
Hegseth, speaking at the security forum on Saturday, claimed China was “credibly preparing” for military action to alter the power balance in Asia, specifically accusing Beijing of rehearsing a potential invasion of Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned Hegseth’s remarks, asserting that Taiwan is a domestic matter and warning against foreign interference. The ministry accused the US of turning the Asia-Pacific region into a “powder keg” and of deploying offensive weapons in the South China Sea.
“The US should not entertain illusions about using the Taiwan question as a bargaining chip to contain China, nor should it play with fire,” the ministry stated. They further accused Hegseth of “vilifying China with defamatory allegations” and promoting a “Cold War mentality.”
Beijing also rejected US claims about threats to maritime navigation in the South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with the Philippines. China insists it is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and safeguarding its territorial rights within international law.
Adding to the sense of strained relations, China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun skipped the Shangri-La Dialogue, sending a lower-ranking delegation instead. This marks the first time since 2019 that China has not sent its defence minister to the high-level forum, excluding the pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021.
The escalating rhetoric comes amid existing tensions between the world’s two largest economies, fueled by ongoing trade disputes and tariff threats. The latest exchange further underscores the complex and increasingly fraught relationship between the US and China.
First Piper 