China hits back at Trump official Pete Hegseth for ‘sabre-rattling and fear-mongering’ - China says US defence secretary’s remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue were ‘intended to sow division’

China has protested to the United States over “vilifying” remarks made by secretary for defence Pete Hegseth, the ministry for foreign affairs said on Sunday, while accusing it of deliberately ignoring calls for peace from regional nations.

The United States and its allies won't allow China to dominate the Indo-Pacific region, but do not seek war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday morning in Singapore.

China has protested to the United States over "vilifying" remarks made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, while accusing it of deliberately ignoring calls for peace from regional nations.

BEIJING – China on June 1 warned the United States it “should not play with fire” over Taiwan and said it had lodged “representations” with Washington over comments made by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at a summit in Singapore.

China has issued a stern warning to the United States after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Beijing is preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027. The Chinese Foreign Ministry slammed the remarks as inflammatory,

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Israel, Poland, and the Gulf and Baltic states as “model allies” of the United States, a remark sure to raise eyebrows over others who may consider themselves close allies.

China has objected to Hegseth calling it a threat in the Indo-Pacific, the ministry added, describing his comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday as "deplorable" and "intended to sow division".

The assessment is a major departure for the U.S. government, and it came with a nudge that nations must choose between Washington and Beijing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing backlash after issuing orders on Friday restricting credentialed journalists from unescorted access to much of the Pentagon building.