Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu warned that a conflict between China and the US would be an “unbearable disaster”. He said that his country strives for dialogue.
He was addressing delegates at the Shangri-La Security Summit in Singapore. The Chinese Minister of Defense, wearing the general uniform of the People’s Liberation Army of China, said that “the world is big enough for China and the US to progress together.”
“China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways. However, this should not prevent the two sides from pursuing common ground and common interests in developing and deepening bilateral cooperation,” Li said.
He warned that he had “revived the mentality of the Cold War in the Asia-Pacific region”, although, as he said, his country strives for dialogue instead of confrontation.
Lee indirectly criticized the US. He accused “some countries” of intensifying the arms race and deliberately interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.
“Mutual respect should overcome bullying and hegemony,” Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reprimanded China for refusing military talks. Thus leaving the two superpowers in a deadlock over resolving Taiwan’s disputed issues. Also, territorial disputes in the South China Sea. There are also significant restrictions imposed by US President Joseph Biden on semiconductor exports.
