The Chinese Foreign Ministry (MFA) opposed attempts by anyone to use upcoming Southeast Asian defense talks for selfish gain as U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth prepared to attend.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks Monday in response to a question about whether China would send a delegation. He announced no attendance decision and named no country or individual as the target of his warning.
Guo said the gathering should promote dialogue, trust and cooperation. He opposed attempts to “hijack ASEAN,” referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but did not specify whose actions concerned him.
The U.S. Department of War said Hegseth plans individual and group meetings with regional officials. Their discussions will cover how partners share defense responsibilities, cooperation among allies and deterrence. The department announced his planned trip Oct. 25.
ASEAN has scheduled its defense ministers’ meeting and talks with partner countries for Oct. 28-29 in Cebu, the Philippines.
