Pakistan, June 1 -- China has strongly protested against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent remarks, accusing him of spreading division and pushing a Cold War mentality during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Chinese Foreign Ministry described his comments as "deplorable" and claimed they ignored regional efforts for peace and stability.

Beijing objected to Hegseth labeling China as a "threat" in the Indo-Pacific and blamed the United States for increasing tensions in the South China Sea by deploying offensive weapons and conducting provocative military activities. China said such actions are turning the region into a dangerous flashpoint.

In a statement, China's Defence Ministry echoed the criticism, accu...