**ISTANBUL**
China on Monday condemned US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent comments in Tokyo, accusing Washington of pushing regional countries to act as "cannon fodder for US hegemony."
“The US uses the so-called 'China threat' rhetoric as an excuse to provoke ideological confrontation, incite division and conflict, and even encourage certain countries to act as cannon fodder for US hegemony. Regional countries should remain vigilant and take precautions against this,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in Beijing, according to state media.
During his first visit to Japan as Pentagon chief, Hegseth on Sunday praised Japan as an “indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military coercion” and stressed the need for a “credible deterrence” in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait.
Guo reiterated that the Taiwan issue is "purely a matter of China's internal affairs."
Separately, Guo responded to reports about a Chinese research vessel returning to China via Australian waters. He said Beijing conducts “normal maritime activities” and urged Canberra to “refrain from being overly suspicious or making unfounded speculations.”
Guo also commented on the aftermath of Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake affecting Myanmar and Thailand. He said China will uphold its "Paukphaw" friendship with Myanmar, work to "stand together with Myanmar in this difficult time, make the most of the critical 72-hour window to search for survivors, treat the injured, and ensure relief supplies reach those in need."
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