SINGAPORE, June 4 (Reuters) - Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu told Asia's top security summit on Sunday that conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster" but that his country sought dialogue over confrontation.
"It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the U.S. will be an unbearable disaster for the world."
China's military criticised the United States and Canada for "deliberately provoking risk" after their warships staged a rare joint sailing through the sensitive strait.
Canadian defence minister Anita Anand said that Canada would continue to sail where international law allows, including the Strait, and that "actors in this region must engage responsibly”.
In his speech, Li said China would not allow such freedom-of-navigation patrols by the United States and its allies to be "a pretext to exercise hegemony of navigation."
Persons:
Li Shangfu, Li, Joe Biden's, Anita Anand, Richard Marles, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Cui Tiankai, Chong Ja Ian, ”, Chen Lin, Greg Torode, Xinghui, Ben Blanchard, Kanupriya Kapoor, Gerry Doyle, Raju Gopalakrishnan
Organizations:
Chinese Defence, U.S, National Defence, People's Liberation Army, U.S . Navy, Pacific Command, Defense, Reuters, National University of Singapore, Thomson
Locations:
SINGAPORE, United States, Singapore, China, U.S, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, South, Chinese, Taiwan Straits, Canada, Britain ., Russia, Xinghui Kok, Taipei