Beijing, June 15 – The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the remarks made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum. According to a Chinese spokesperson, the head of the Pentagon was spreading a "Cold War mentality," denigrating China, and falsely portraying it as a threat.

“His words were full of provocations and attempts to sow division. China strongly rejects them and has lodged a protest with the United States,” the spokesperson stated. He added that the only true hegemonic power is the United States, which, according to him, is disrupting peace in the Asia-Pacific region and transforming the region into a "powder keg."

In response to criticism regarding **Taiwan**, Beijing reiterated that it is solely an internal affair of China and warned the United States not to "play with fire" and to cease supporting separatist forces.

Regarding the **South China Sea**, the spokesperson denied that China was restricting freedom of navigation in the area, and accused the United States of being the main source of instability in the region.

China, according to the statement, urges the United States to respect the efforts of countries in the region to maintain peace and to stop inciting tension and confrontation.

CMG