China's defense minister, General Li Shangfu, expressed his views on the potential consequences of a war between China and the US, stating that it would be a catastrophic event for the world.

In his first major speech since assuming the role, General Li highlighted the escalating arms race in Asia, with certain countries fueling tensions.

He emphasized that both China and the US can coexist peacefully, urging the two superpowers to find common ground.

The US had previously accused a Chinese destroyer of engaging in unsafe maneuvers near an American warship in the Taiwan Strait, resulting in strained relations between the two nations.

The incident was met with criticism from China, who accused both countries of deliberately provoking risks. General Li, referring to the incident, suggested that tensions were being escalated by external countries.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the region's annual security meeting, General Li criticized the US for adopting a Cold War mentality, which he believed significantly increased security risks.

Regarding military talks, China had refused a direct request from the US due to sanctions imposed on General Li in 2018 for purchasing weapons from Russia. At the summit, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin admonished China for its refusal to engage in military discussions.

According to reports, Gen Austin and Gen Li shook hands and spoke briefly at the event's opening dinner on Friday, but there was no substantive exchange.

According to one of China's delegates, the removal of US sanctions against Gen Li is a prerequisite for talks.

According to Reuters, senior intelligence officials attended a meeting of spy chiefs at the Singapore summit.

Despite the diplomatic squabble, a senior US State Department official has arrived in Beijing for a week of extensive talks.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated in recent years due to a variety of issues, including China's claim to Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.