Li Shangfu, who leads China’s Ministry of Defense, warned that a dispute between China and the United States has the potential to escalate into what he characterized as “an intolerable world disaster.” This warning came during remarks conveyed by Reuters.
During the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, the minister emphasized that a serious clash between the two nations would spell catastrophe for the global community. He noted that while China and the United States operate under different political systems and hold divergent interests in many areas, this divergence should not block efforts to identify shared priorities. He urged both sides to pursue common ground, cultivate mutual interests, and explore opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and build enduring partnerships for regional and international stability.
Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, who previously served as the U.S. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, stated that Washington does not view a Sino-American confrontation or a new cold war as unavoidable. He argued that the United States and China are working to ensure competition does not escalate into conflict, a goal that requires careful diplomacy, strategic restraint, and ongoing dialogue to prevent miscalculation and miscommunication.