U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned China is rehearsing for a potential invasion of Taiwan during a defense forum over the weekend, prompting a response from Chinese officials.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday delivered a dire warning to the Asia-Pacific region and the world: China’s designs on Taiwan pose a threat to global peace and stability that requires “our allies and partners do their part on defense.

The assessment is a major departure for the U.S. government, and it came with a nudge that nations must choose between Washington and Beijing.