BEIJING, March 6. /TASS /. The United States cannot afford to become embroiled in a conflict with another nuclear power, and the statement regarding the armed forces' preparations for a potential war with China is nothing more than propaganda, Xin Qiang, the deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, said in an interview with TASS.

"From the U.S. perspective, the statement about the readiness of the armed forces can be interpreted as a deterrent signal directed at China, serving as a sort of trump card. I believe that the U.S. secretary of defense's remarks reflect two key points: first, that Trump does not want to go to war, as it would come at a tremendous cost. The U.S. cannot afford the risks associated with military conflict with another nuclear power. Second, he recognizes the potential dangers that exist in U.S.-China relations, making it necessary for the U.S. military to remain prepared," the expert stated. He also noted the propagandistic aspect of the statement, indicating that the U.S. is eager to display its strength.

As Xin emphasized, the possibility of conflict between the two nations does exist, particularly concerning the Taiwan issue and ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. However, he pointed out that China, too, does not seek conflict but is nonetheless preparing its armed forces, which is a fundamental responsibility of any military.

"Of course, China has never wished to engage in war with the U.S., but it is the natural duty of an army to be prepared for such contingencies. This principle is shared by the armed forces of both China and the U.S., as well as Russia. Being prepared does not necessarily imply an intention to go to war," the expert explained.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that while the U.S. is not seeking war with China, the armed forces will be restructured under President Donald Trump's administration to ensure readiness for such an eventuality. This statement came in response to a post from the Chinese embassy on the social media platform X, which asserted, "If war is what the U.S. wants - whether through tariffs, trade, or any other means - we are prepared to fight to the end."

In turn, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian remarked that the U.S. defense minister's comments were fueling hype about a so-called Chinese threat and provoking an unwinnable confrontation.