Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu (pictured) remarked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that a conflict between his country and the United States would be an "unbearable disaster."

"China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways," he said. "However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation."

China previously refused to have a one-on-one meeting with the US, which the latter country's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described as "unfortunate."