Tensions between Beijing and Washington escalated further on Sunday as China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a strong stand against the United States after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent accusations. Hegseth had said that China posed a real “threat” that “could be imminent”, to which the Chinese ministry responded by saying that Hegseth was using a “cold war mindset”.

The Chinese ministry in a statement urged the US “to fully respect the efforts of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability, stop deliberately destroying the peaceful and stable environment cherished by the region, and stop inciting conflict and confrontation and escalating tensions in the region.”

China urges US to stop interfering in internal matter, denounces Pete Hegseth’s provocation

The statement particularly called out Hegseth for touting the “Cold War mentality” and deliberately ignoring the “call for peace and development by countries in the region.” China pushed back further, alleging that the US posed a threat to regional peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. “No country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the US itself,” the Asian country added.

Warning the US against playing with fire with it and potentially using the Taiwan matter as leverage, China severely doubled down on it being an internal affair. The Chinese statement even accused America of deploying offensive weaponry in the South China Sea and continuously “stoking flames and creating tensions in the Asia-Pacific, which are turning the region into a powder keg and making countries in the region deeply concerned.”

What Pete Hegseth said?

China’s retort followed a day after Pete Hegseth’s remarks “filled with provocations and intended to sow discord” made headlines at the global security conference, the Shangri-La Dialogue. While in Singapore on Saturday, the US defence secretary smeared Beijing with defamatory claims, speaking on China’s role in Asia as one domination and control of “too many parts of this vibrant and vital region.”

“China seeks to intimidate you in your own waters,” Hegseth said at the conference. “China’s military harasses Taiwan.”

“It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific,” he continued, while adding, “We are not going to sugarcoat it—the threat China poses is real and it could be imminent.”

Pete Hegseth also asserted that US President Donald Trump “does not seek war.” He went on to say, “We do not seek regime change, nor will we instigate or disrespect a proud and historic culture. We will be ready, but we will not be reckless.” Despite insisting on the US’ peaceful intentions, he added, “But we must ensure that China cannot dominate us—or our allies and partners.”

US-China tensions peak amid trade war, immigration crackdown

These conflicting takes, especially fuelled by the Chinese government’s view of Hegseth’s remarks as provocative, come amid China and US’ ongoing trade war. Despite the endless back-on-forth on this front, a deal struck earlier this month saw both nations lower tariffs. The progress again hit a wall after Trump accused China of violating the truce.

If that wasn’t all, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hit Chinese students with new visa policies backed by the nation’s “America first” debate. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” read the press statement dated May 28. “We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.”