China Warns U.S. Not to ‘Play with Fire’ Over Taiwan After Pentagon Chief’s Remarks
China has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a security summit in Singapore.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth accused China of actively preparing for a military takeover of Taiwan. He said Beijing was “credibly preparing” for an invasion and had been “rehearsing for the real deal” as part of broader efforts to shift the balance of power in Asia.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement just after midnight on Sunday, saying it had made “solemn representations” to Washington over what it called “inflammatory remarks.”
“The U.S. should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire,” the ministry warned.
According to AFP, China — which did not send its Defense Minister Dong Jun to the summit — reaffirmed its position that Taiwan is a domestic matter and foreign countries have no right to interfere.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the self-governed island.
During his address, Hegseth also accused China of “illegally seizing and militarising lands” in the contested South China Sea. Although a 2016 international tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims in the region have no legal basis, Beijing maintains control over key areas and continues its military buildup.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded by denying any obstruction to freedom of navigation, insisting that “there has never been any issue” in the region. A spokesperson stated that China is committed to defending its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with the law.”
The ministry also criticized U.S. military activity in the region, accusing Washington of turning the Indo-Pacific into a “powder keg” by deploying advanced weapons systems to the South China Sea.
China has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a security summit in Singapore.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth accused China of actively preparing for a military takeover of Taiwan. He said Beijing was “credibly preparing” for an invasion and had been “rehearsing for the real deal” as part of broader efforts to shift the balance of power in Asia.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement just after midnight on Sunday, saying it had made “solemn representations” to Washington over what it called “inflammatory remarks.”
“The U.S. should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire,” the ministry warned.
According to AFP, China — which did not send its Defense Minister Dong Jun to the summit — reaffirmed its position that Taiwan is a domestic matter and foreign countries have no right to interfere.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the self-governed island.
During his address, Hegseth also accused China of “illegally seizing and militarising lands” in the contested South China Sea. Although a 2016 international tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims in the region have no legal basis, Beijing maintains control over key areas and continues its military buildup.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded by denying any obstruction to freedom of navigation, insisting that “there has never been any issue” in the region. A spokesperson stated that China is committed to defending its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with the law.”
The ministry also criticized U.S. military activity in the region, accusing Washington of turning the Indo-Pacific into a “powder keg” by deploying advanced weapons systems to the South China Sea.
China Warns U.S. Not to ‘Play with Fire’ Over Taiwan After Pentagon Chief’s Remarks
China has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a security summit in Singapore.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth accused China of actively preparing for a military takeover of Taiwan. He said Beijing was “credibly preparing” for an invasion and had been “rehearsing for the real deal” as part of broader efforts to shift the balance of power in Asia.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement just after midnight on Sunday, saying it had made “solemn representations” to Washington over what it called “inflammatory remarks.”
“The U.S. should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire,” the ministry warned.
According to AFP, China — which did not send its Defense Minister Dong Jun to the summit — reaffirmed its position that Taiwan is a domestic matter and foreign countries have no right to interfere.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the self-governed island.
During his address, Hegseth also accused China of “illegally seizing and militarising lands” in the contested South China Sea. Although a 2016 international tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims in the region have no legal basis, Beijing maintains control over key areas and continues its military buildup.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded by denying any obstruction to freedom of navigation, insisting that “there has never been any issue” in the region. A spokesperson stated that China is committed to defending its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with the law.”
The ministry also criticized U.S. military activity in the region, accusing Washington of turning the Indo-Pacific into a “powder keg” by deploying advanced weapons systems to the South China Sea.
