WASHINGTON: The Chinese Ministry of Defense reacted to recent comments made by US Defense Secretary at the Shangri-La Security Dialogue in Singapore, accusing the United States of “undermining agreements, fueling disputes, and pursuing its own interests” in the region.
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, stated on Sunday, that the Chinese armed forces, in cooperation with regional countries, will stand against interventions that threaten the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
He described Secretary Austin’s remarks, which labeled China as a threat to regional stability, as “unacceptable and divisive.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing formal objections to the US for “ignoring the peaceful aspirations of regional countries and promoting a Cold War mentality.”
The ministry warned that the deployment of US offensive weapons in the South China Sea and the exacerbation of tensions could turn the region into a “powder keg.”
During the Shangri-La Dialogue, Secretary Austin urged countries in the region, especially Australia, to increase their defense budgets to address what he described as rising threats.
