Chinese and US flags wave outside a technology company in Beijing, on April 17, 2025. China told Washington on April 16 to "stop threatening and blackmailing" after US President Donald Trump said it was up to Beijing to come to the negotiating table to discuss ending their trade war. Trump has slapped new tariffs on friend and foe but has reserved his heaviest blows for China, with 145 percent on many Chinese imports even as Beijing has retaliated with levies on US goods of 125 percent. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP)
China Warns US Not to ‘Play With Fire’ Over Taiwan After Pentagon Chief’s Remarks
Beijing, May 31, 2025 – China has issued a stern warning to the United States, stating it “should not play with fire” over the Taiwan issue following strong comments made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a high-level security summit in Singapore.
During his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth warned that China is credibly preparing for military action to alter the power balance in Asia. He accused Beijing of building invasion capabilities and “rehearsing for the real deal” in Taiwan.
Shortly after midnight, China’s Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming it had lodged official protests (solemn representations) with the US, saying it “strongly deplores” Hegseth’s remarks.
Taiwan: A Tense Flashpoint
China maintains that Taiwan is an internal affair, rejecting any foreign interference. Beijing reiterated its position that the self-governed island is a part of its territory, and it reserves the right to use force to assert sovereignty.
“The US should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire,” the statement read.
South China Sea and Indo-Pacific Tensions
In his speech, Hegseth also slammed China’s actions in the South China Sea, accusing it of illegally seizing and militarising disputed territories — claims Beijing has consistently denied.
Responding, China’s Foreign Ministry said:
“There has never been any issue with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. China is committed to safeguarding its sovereignty in accordance with international law.”
The ministry went further, blaming the United States for turning the Indo-Pacific region into a ‘powder keg’ through its continued military deployments in the South China Sea.
Diplomatic Fallout
China’s decision to not send Defence Minister Dong Jun to the Singapore summit underlined the growing tensions. Analysts view the diplomatic sparring as part of a larger geopolitical standoff as Beijing and Washington compete for influence in Asia.
