Hagel speech reflects US hypocrisy

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's remark at the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday was nothing but balderdash and justifiably condemned by China. The US defense chief did everything he could at the Shangri-La Dialogue, or Asia Security Summit, to accuse China of taking "destabilizing, unilateral actions" in the South China Sea, criticizing the demarcation of China's Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea. He also charged China with cyber spying against the United States.

The US accusations are groundless and it was inappropriate of Hagel to use a regional security forum to fire anti-China remarks where Washington's role is by no means constructive to regional peace and stability.

After Hagel's speech, Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army who led the Chinese delegation, rightfully said that the US defense chief's speech bore every sign of US hegemony and was filled with instigation, threat and intimidation.