China’s top official at a global defence dialogue on Saturday (May 31) rejected “accusations” made against the country as unfounded and politically motivated, and asserted its commitment to protecting and improving regional security.
“We do not accept groundless accusations against China. Some of these claims are completely fabricated, some distort the truth, and some are outright cases of ‘the thief crying thief’,” said Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, who is leading a delegation from the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“They are essentially aimed at provoking conflict, creating division, inciting confrontation, and destabilising the Asia-Pacific,” he said, adding that such actions “go against the tide of the times, are unpopular, and will not succeed.”
Speaking at a session titled “Cooperative maritime security in the Asia-Pacific”, Hu said maritime security in the region remains “generally stable” and the South China Sea remains “one of the world’s safest and busiest sea lanes” for navigation.
He also said China proposes upholding “true multilateralism” and preserving maritime security order in the Asia-Pacific.
“We support the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in Asia-Pacific governance. We oppose unilateralism, hegemonic bullying, and turning Asia-Pacific waters into arenas for power games,” he added.
“We firmly oppose illegal actions that sow division, obstruct reunification, and harm sovereign nations’ core interests.”
Hu did not specify which countries or which accusations he was rebutting.
But earlier in the day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had warned of the “threat” China poses as he called on allies in the Indo-Pacific to spend more on their own defence needs.
“China’s army is rehearsing for the real deal,” Hegseth said in his speech. “We are not going to sugarcoat it – the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.”
Hegseth said the US would continue to strengthen its overseas military posture in response to what he described as intensifying threats from Beijing, particularly its assertiveness over Taiwan.
China’s military has repeatedly simulated scenarios resembling a blockade of the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.
The US, while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity, has pledged to support Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
Besides Taiwan Strait tensions, China also has overlapping claims with various parties including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia in the South China Sea, a vital waterway for global trade.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is a key annual defence summit organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Held from May 30 to June 1 this year, it brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and senior officials from nearly 50 countries.
Hu emphasised the need for constructive engagement rather than confrontation at the forum.
“The original intention of holding this meeting is to address problems, not create them; to reduce differences, not widen them. There should be frank and sincere exchanges,” he said.
He was also asked about Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun skipping the event this year – the first time since 2019 that China was not represented by its defence minister.
“China attaches great importance to (the event) and has consistently sent delegations to participate over the years,” Hu replied.
It sends delegations of different levels from year to year, and this should be seen as part of normal operational arrangements, Hu said.
“This in no way affects our ability to articulate our national defence policies, engage in communication with various parties, or enhance mutual understanding,” he said.
“Objectively speaking, I was entrusted to come here today to share our views and engage with all of you. I believe everyone has clearly heard and understood our genuine position.”
QUESTIONS ABOUT AIRCRAFT CARRIER
The other officials who spoke at the session were Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, UK’s chief of defence staff, Admiral Seguchi Yoshio, commandant of the Japan Coast Guard, and Ricardo Montero Allende, Chile’s undersecretary of defence.
Asked about the UK sending its aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales as part of a naval strike group on a mission – codenamed Operation Highmast – across the Indo-Pacific amid a war in Ukraine, Radakin noted the interconnectedness and global nature of security.
Britain’s engagement with Southeast Asia extends to other areas such as trade pacts and being a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said.
“There are a whole lot of other reasons why we should be here, diplomatically, culturally, but to just see it through the narrow lens of an aircraft carrier, I think is not correct,” he said.
The UK has no plans to use its aircraft carrier in the Russia-Ukraine context, Radakin said, adding that ships can turn back and return if they need to.
Responding to another question on whether UK would strengthen defence cooperation with China in any particular area following his trip there in April, Radakin said it was about establishing military-to-military channels and communication.
“When we operate in this region, we do it in a very transparent way,” Radakin said. “We see ourselves as operating under the rule of law, and we are doing activities that we consider to be entirely routine for a nation like the United Kingdom.”
Asked how he feels about a British aircraft carrier in the Asia-Pacific region, Hu said conducting mobile deployments and training across the oceans is intrinsic to the nature of naval vessels. When used properly, they can safeguard peace and convey goodwill, he said.
But there are inherent dangers of foreign military deployments near contested or sensitive waters, Hu said.
“When warships enter foreign coastal or near-shore waters, the risks are substantial,” He said. “These activities are prone to misunderstanding, miscalculation, or even direct friction and conflict.”
He cautioned that tensions could escalate rapidly even without hostile intent. “When a nation sends warships far from home, especially into another country’s coastal waters – or worse, territorial waters – the potential for serious consequences becomes logically unavoidable.”
The UK-led naval task group departed southern England in April and will make a port call in Singapore next month.
The deployment includes stops in Australia, Japan and India.
While not naming the UK directly, Hu called for efforts to “fundamentally eliminate” maritime and aerial risks, saying the key lies in upholding international law, avoiding provocations, and preventing actions that threaten other countries’ sovereignty or stability.
He also underscored the importance of adhering to protocols such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), which China supports updating to enhance regional safety.
IN THE “SAME ASIA-PACIFIC BOAT”, SAYS HU
Calling for cooperation in the region, Hu added: “We all share the same Asia-Pacific boat. While each country has its own national conditions, our security and prosperity are intertwined. In the 21st century, a civilised era, we should resolve issues through dialogue and consultation.”
Hu observed there were no major maritime military conflicts in recent years, but warned of “serious challenges” stemming from bloc politics and foreign interference under the pretext of “freedom of navigation.”
Hu, the vice-president of the PLA’s National Defense University, called out “certain countries” for expanding their military presence in the region and “frequently infringing upon the sovereignty and maritime rights of others”.
These actions, he said, are often justified under the banner of free navigation but, in fact, “deliberately support separatist forces advocating ‘Taiwan independence,’ gravely undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.
