CHINA’S DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS WAR WITH THE US WOULD BE AN UNBEARABLE DISASTER

China’s defence minister has said war with the US would be an “unbearable disaster” for the world in his first major speech since taking on the role.

At a security summit, General Li Shangfu said “some countries” were intensifying an arms race in Asia.

But he said the world was big enough for both China and the US, and the two superpowers should seek common ground.

Earlier the US alleged “unsafe” manoeuvres by a Chinese destroyer near a US warship in the Taiwan strait.

On Saturday the US navy said a Chinese destroyer sailed “in an unsafe manner” near an American warship as it transited the Taiwan Strait with Canadian vessels.

China criticised both countries for “deliberately provoking risk”. The US and Canada said they were sailing where international law allows.

At the Singapore summit, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin rebuked China for refusing to hold military discussions.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained in recent years over several issues, including China’s claim over Taiwan, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea