China's Taiwan warning to the US: Do not play with fire

China has responded to remarks made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding Taiwan at the "Shangri-La Dialogue" forum held in Singapore.

In a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, it was noted that a "formal and serious protest" had been lodged with the US over Hegseth's claims that "the Chinese military is building the capacity to invade Taiwan and is rehearsing for an actual attack," adding that there was "extreme dissatisfaction" with the US Secretary's comments.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement said, "The US should not attempt to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and must not play with fire." The statement emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China's "internal affair" and that foreign countries have no right to interfere in this matter.

"CHINA WILL RESOLUTELY DEFEND ITS TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY"

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that there are no issues regarding navigation in the South China Sea and that China "will resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights within the framework of international law." Jian accused the US of turning the Indo-Pacific region into a "powder keg" by deploying weapons in the South China Sea.

HEGSETH'S CHINA CLAIM

In his remarks at the "Shangri-La Dialogue" forum organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore, Hegseth stated that China is "preparing to credibly use military force to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific," and that any attempt by China to seize Taiwan would lead to "devastating consequences" not only for the Indo-Pacific but for the entire world.

News Source: İHA