China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
In a statement published on Sunday, China’s foreign ministry said Hegseth's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was "deplorable" and “deliberately intended to sow division.”
The defence chief had described China as a “real and potentially imminent threat,” calling on allies, including Australia, to increase military spending in response.
Beijing said Hegseth “ignored regional calls for peace,” instead promoting a Cold War-style mentality. The statement also accused Washington of deploying offensive weapons in the South China Sea and heightening military tensions.
"The United States has deployed offensive weaponry and kept stoking flames in the Asia-Pacific, turning the region into a powder keg," the ministry said.
The criticism comes after the U.S. installed Typhoon missile launchers in Luzon, the Philippines—part of longstanding defence ties. The system is capable of striking targets in both China and Russia.
At the same time, tensions between China and the Philippines continue over contested areas in the South China Sea, where encounters between coast guards have become more frequent.
China also warned Washington “not to play with fire” over Taiwan. In his address, Hegseth warned that any Chinese attempt to take the island would have “devastating consequences.”
Beijing has vowed to reunify with Taiwan, by force if needed. Taiwan’s government, however, insists its future can only be decided by its people.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, responding to Hegseth’s remarks, said Canberra would follow its own defence roadmap. He pointed to an extra A$10 billion already pledged to defence.
"What we'll do is we'll determine our defence policy," he said on Sunday.
Uzbekistan will significantly expand its small hydropower capacity through a new $150 million World Bank project, aiming to enhance electricity access and boost renewable energy production nationwide.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Tesla’s new car sales in Europe plunged 27.9% in May, even as the region saw a major rise in demand for electric vehicles, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Thursday (24 June), exchanging views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
Uzbekistan will significantly expand its small hydropower capacity through a new $150 million World Bank project, aiming to enhance electricity access and boost renewable energy production nationwide.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Tesla’s new car sales in Europe plunged 27.9% in May, even as the region saw a major rise in demand for electric vehicles, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Thursday (24 June), exchanging views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
Airlines have cancelled and rerouted flights across the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
Uzbekistan will significantly expand its small hydropower capacity through a new $150 million World Bank project, aiming to enhance electricity access and boost renewable energy production nationwide.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Tesla’s new car sales in Europe plunged 27.9% in May, even as the region saw a major rise in demand for electric vehicles, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Thursday (24 June), exchanging views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
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