Beijing rejects US threat claims

US stance: At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth called on Indo-Pacific allies, including Australia, to increase defence spending as he warned of a ‘real and potentially imminent’ threat posed by China. — Reuters

The government has protes­ted to the United States against “vilifying” remarks made by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the foreign ministry said, while accusing it of deliberately ignoring calls for peace from regional nations.

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”.