U.S. and China Trade Blame at Shangri-La Dialogue

Tensions flared between the U.S. and China at the Shangri-La Dialogue, as defense delegations from both countries accused each other of fueling instability in the Asia-Pacific.

In a hard-hitting speech, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged America’s Indo-Pacific allies to boost defense spending and pushed back against China’s growing military assertiveness in the region.

Speaking during a morning session of the annual defense summit in Singapore, Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s long-term security commitment to the Indo-Pacific, calling it America’s "priority theater" as European allies take on more responsibility for the war in Ukraine.

He warned that China’s rapid military buildup—especially its threats toward Taiwan—posed a significant challenge to regional peace, citing Beijing’s naval drills and operations in contested waters.

China’s delegation responded swiftly and sharply.

Zhang Chi, a senior member of the Chinese delegation, accused Washington of ignoring ASEAN’s central role and questioned how the U.S. would respond to disagreements between ASEAN states and U.S.-led alliances. Hegseth did not directly address the question, instead emphasizing America’s openness to dialogue and support for peaceful dispute resolution.

China’s embassy in Singapore later called Hegseth’s remarks “provocative and inflammatory,” accusing the U.S. of stoking tensions and “profiting from fearmongering about war.”

Later in the day, Lieutenant General Hu Gangfeng, vice president of China’s National Defense University and head of the Chinese military delegation, rejected many of Hegseth’s claims—without naming him directly.

“Some countries are recklessly pushing exclusive, confrontational blocs, ramping up their military footprint, and using so-called freedom of navigation operations to challenge the sovereignty and maritime rights of others,” Hu said.

He dismissed accusations against China as “groundless,” claiming they were intended to “provoke confrontation and destabilize the Asia-Pacific.”

Hu also downplayed concerns over regional maritime security, describing the South China Sea as “one of the safest and busiest shipping routes in the world.” He warned that support for Taiwan independence would undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Notably absent from this year’s forum was Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, marking the first time since 2019 that Beijing has not sent its top defense official to Shangri-La. A PLA spokesperson called the absence “normal” without offering further explanation.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the U.K.-based organizer of the summit, Asian countries in 2024 spent an average of 1.5% of GDP on defense—an amount that has remained stable over the past decade. However, the think tank noted a sharp rise in defense tech investment and arms procurement in several regional states.

“This surge reflects how Asian countries are reacting to a worsening security environment—by strengthening foreign partnerships and expanding their domestic defense industries,” IISS reported.

Sources: AFP, Xinhua

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