China: War with US would be “unbearable disaster”

An unusual and perhaps notable event unfolded at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this week, one of the only regional defense summits in the region held each year. Most of you are already no doubt aware of the increasing level of tension between the United States and China that has been growing steadily for the past two years. Many have been speculating about the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and even the possibility of World War 3. But Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu addressed the conference and took a decidedly different tone than we’ve been hearing out of Beijing recently. He bemoaned the idea that “some countries” (obviously meaning America) were “intensifying an arms race.” He also declared that war with the United States would be an “unbearable disaster” all around and should be avoided. So what was he up to? Is this a change in policy or simply a case of adaptive tactics based on the actions of Joe Biden? (BBC)Read More