China’s Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, expressed China’s desire for dialogue instead of conflict with the United States during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Li emphasized that a clash between the two nations would result in an “unbearable disaster.” He stated that despite their differences, China and the U.S. can coexist and grow together, highlighting that the world is vast enough to accommodate both powers.
This statement comes shortly after Li declined a direct meeting with his U.S. counterpart.
The strained relationship between the two countries is primarily attributed to various issues, such as Taiwan’s democratic governance, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and President Joe Biden’s restrictions on semiconductor chip exports.