THE United States (US) defense chief’s speech at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue has been slammed as being “rife with deeply ingrained hegemonic logic and Cold War mentality.”
In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday 31 May, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged Asia-Pacific countries to increase their military spending to five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to counter what he perceived as threats from China in the region, including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
China Daily reported that China’s Ministry of National Defense slammed the speech, saying it was filled with hegemonic logic, seriously provoked China’s sovereign rights and interests, and distorted China’s policy positions.
The Ministry’s spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said the US is accustomed to using the Shangri-La Dialogue to create disputes, incite confrontation, and seek its own interests.
“The US remarks were rife with deeply ingrained hegemonic logic and Cold War mentality,” he said, adding that, “the speech seriously ignored the joint efforts of regional countries to maintain prosperity and stability, and deviated from the common desire of countries worldwide for peace and development.”
Zhang said the actions of the US are clear to the whole world. “For its own selfish interests, the US launches tariff wars and trade wars; forms small circles and engages in bloc confrontation, causing deep concerns among countries; strengthens military deployments in the Asia-Pacific, rudely interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, and stirs up tensions,” he added.
The Chinese military official said facts have repeatedly shown that the US, by going against the trend and acting willfully, will ultimately harm itself.
He then reiterated China’s position on the Taiwan question, and the South China Sea issue.
“The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair, and the US has no right to make irresponsible remarks, let alone attempt to use it as a bargaining chip to contain China,” Zhang said.
Zhang said the People’s Liberation Army will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly crush any “Taiwan independence” separatist plots and any external interference.
“Our determination and will are rock-solid, and our capabilities and means are strong and reliable,” he added.
The Chinese military official emphasized that the South China Sea is one of the busiest and safest shipping lanes globally, and China will continue to resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation with relevant countries, uphold territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law, and work with regional countries to build a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
The US, fearing no chaos in the South China Sea, forms cliques and stirs up trouble, posing the greatest threat to regional peace and stability, he said.
Zhang said the Chinese military will work with regional countries to jointly oppose hegemonism that harms the Asia-Pacific, prevent geopolitical conflicts from being introduced into the region, and oppose any country or force that creates trouble.
“We will actively pursue the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives, working together to maintain long-term peace, stability and prosperity in the Pacific.”
By DELI-SHARON OSO
In Beijing, China
