China warns the US about Taiwan: "They are playing with fire"

China's suspicion of the United States was intensified after Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Beijing had plans to take military action in Taiwan after expanding its military presence in the South China Sea. In a response, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, said the main threats to stability in the Strait are from "separatism" and interference from outside forces. "Taiwan is part of China, and the issue is a domestic issue for China," Zhang said.

As China accused the Pentagon of reckless comments during the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made comments that the US should stop using the Taiwan issue as a way to hold back China's advancement and "playing with fire". It also said it had made "solemn representations" to Washington to register a protest to Hegseth's remarks that were described as incendiary

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China accuses the US of increased tensions with Taiwan and militancy in the Indo-Pacific

Beijing claims that the US is the single most important source of instability in the region. The US Department of State said that in its effort to maintain dominance, the US has deployed offensive weapons in the South China sea, which is now a major flashpoint in the region. China said the US was promoting an Indo-Pacific strategy that was confrontational; China "assert its firm objection to any support for Taiwan independence."

Chinese Foreign Minister Lin Jian said that the one-China principle was a "red line" in China-US relations and condemned plans to escalate arms sales to Taiwan. A Reuters report claimed that the value of US Arms Transfers may exceed US$18.3 billion in coming years. Lin urged the US to re-convene actions "which increase tensions" and stressed that "China's determination to defend its national sovereignty is firm and unwavering."

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The United States warns of a potential invasion of Taiwan and urges allies to boost military spending

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth stated that China is “clearly and credibly” preparing to use force to shift the balance of power in Asia. The Pentagon chief pointed to the daily training exercises by the People’s Liberation Army, the expansion of its military capabilities, and recent events in the South China Sea as concerning signs.

Hegseth called on regional allies to follow Europe’s lead and increase their defense budgets. He highlighted Germany’s decision to raise military spending to 5% of its GDP and emphasized that deterring military threats “does not come cheap.” He also reaffirmed that the United States is back in Asia “for the long term.”