China has strongly criticized remarks made by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, expressing deep displeasure and firm opposition. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated on Saturday that Austin’s comments disregarded regional calls for peace and development, promoting a Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation.
“The remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow division. China deplores and firmly opposes them and has protested strongly to the United States,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson accused the United States of acting as a hegemonic power and being the primary factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. “To perpetuate its hegemony and advance the so-called ‘Indo-Pacific strategy,’ the United States has deployed offensive weaponry in the South China Sea and kept stoking tensions, turning the region into a powder keg,” they added.
Addressing the Taiwan question, the spokesperson emphasized that it is entirely China’s internal affair and that no country should interfere. “The United States should never imagine it could use the Taiwan question as leverage against China. The United States must never play with fire on this question,” they warned, urging the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and cease supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
On the South China Sea issue, the spokesperson asserted that there has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight. They highlighted China’s commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation while safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. “It is the United States who is the primary factor that is hurting the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the spokesperson remarked.
China called on the United States to respect the efforts of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability, stop undermining the cherished peaceful environment, and cease inciting conflict and escalating tensions.
