Chinese Ministry of Defense: "US Exaggerates China Threat... Excuse for Hegemony"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Recently, amid the US-China conflict, the Chinese government criticized the United States' actions as an excuse to vie for hegemony. It also expressed opposition to the Quad, the anti-China bloc led by the US.

Ren Guochang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, held a regular briefing on the 25th and criticized the part of the US National Security Strategy interim guidelines that defines China. The guidelines describe the Chinese government as the only competitor with the potential to continuously challenge a stable and open international system.

Spokesperson Ren stated that the US is "full of Cold War mentality" and claimed that "the US strategy of creating enemies and exaggerating threats is an excuse to seize and compete for hegemony."

He continued, "This reflects the US's stubborn hegemonic mentality, its belief in the (survival of the fittest) jungle law, and its dangerous misjudgment of China," adding, "This is not true and does not align with the common interests of both China and the US or the world. China firmly opposes it."

He emphasized, "Hegemonism should have long ago been relegated to the trash heap," and "Cooperation is the only correct choice."

Regarding the Quad, he particularly stressed, "They form cliques under the pretext of China's challenge and openly sow discord among regional countries," and "We resolutely oppose this."

Spokesperson Ren also warned about NATO member countries dispatching warships to the South China Sea, saying, "The security threats in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region," and "Relevant countries should make constructive contributions to regional peace and stability and refrain from picking quarrels or causing trouble unnecessarily."

On the Taiwan issue, he stated, "Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and an internal affair of China," adding, "Interference by foreign forces is unacceptable." He further said, "External forces attempting to use Taiwan to contain China and Taiwan independence forces seeking independence by force are both heading down a dead-end path."