New Delhi: Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu in a veiled attack on the US said that some country "takes a selective approach to rules and international laws."
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top security summit, Li said “It likes forcing its own rules on others,” adding, “Its so-called ‘rules-based international order’ never tells you what the rules are and who made these rules.”
“It practises exceptionalism and double standards and only serves the interests and follows the rules of a small number of countries,” he said in a speech that marked his first significant international address since he was named China's Minister of National Defence in March.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rebuked China in a speech at the security meeting in Singapore on Saturday for refusing to hold military talks, leaving the superpowers deadlocked over their differences.
He vowed that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring Beijing that the United States remains committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan.
“To be clear, we do not seek conflict or confrontation,” he said. “But we will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion.”
The ties between the countries have been strained over a range of issues, including democratically ruled Taiwan, territorial disputes in the South China Sea and President Joe Biden's restrictions on semiconductor chip exports.
Li in his speech said that conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster," but Beijing seeks dialogue over confrontation. The comments came after Li refused to formally meet the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
"China and the U.S. have different systems and are different in many other ways," he told Asia’s biggest defence conference.
"However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation," he said. "It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the U.S. will be an unbearable disaster for the world."
Li was more restrained in his speech, although he took thinly veiled digs at the United States, accusing "some countries" of intensifying an arms race and wilfully interfering in the internal affairs of others.
"A Cold War mentality is now resurgent, greatly increasing security risks," he said. "Mutual respect should prevail over bullying and hegemony."
Speaking privately the sidelines of the conference, two Chinese military officers said that Beijing wanted clear signs from Washington of a less confrontational approach in Asia - including the dropping of sanctions against Li - before military-to-military talks could resume, reported Reuters.