China has accused US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of attempting to provoke conflict in the region, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. The statement was made by spokesperson Mao Ning during a press briefing, where she called for restraint from Washington.
Key Points from the Statement
- Condemnation of Actions: Mao stated, "We strongly condemn such provocative actions," urging the US to refrain from making "irresponsible remarks and taking actions that may escalate tensions."
- Lack of Specifics: Mao did not specify the actions taken by Hegseth that were deemed provocative by Beijing. However, it is known that he has engaged in several high-profile diplomatic meetings with regional leaders recently.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
In recent weeks, Hegseth has met with leaders from various countries, including:
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Japan: On Tuesday, he visited Japan at the invitation of Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. They discussed ways to deepen their alliance amid concerns about China’s military expansion into Taiwan and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
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South Korea: Last week, he met with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup at Camp Humphreys near Seoul. This meeting aimed to strengthen military ties between the two countries in light of North Korea’s nuclear program and other security threats.
Context of Rising Tensions
These meetings occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, which include:
- Trade Policies: Ongoing disputes over trade practices.
- Human Rights Issues: Allegations of human rights abuses against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province.
- Surveillance Activities: Concerns regarding Chinese surveillance around Taiwan.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials accused of human rights abuses, while Beijing has retaliated with its own sanctions against US officials who have criticized its treatment of ethnic minorities and Hong Kong democracy activists.
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