China warns US: Avoid conflict or face disaster

Chinese President Xi Jinping, shown speaking to China’s National People’s Congress, warned that a conflict between his country and the US would lead to disaster. AFP

SEATTLE, United States — Chinese President Xi Jinping called Tuesday for better relations with the United States, warning that conflict between the two could have a disastrous outcome.

In a keynote speech on the first day of his state visit to the United States, he stressed a need for more cooperation and understanding of each other’s “strategic intentions” as central to a “major country relationship.”

“We want to see more understanding and trust and less estrangement and suspicion,” he told an audience of mostly businessmen.

“Should they enter into conflict and confrontation, it would lead to disaster for both countries and the world at large,” he said.

Xi issued the warning amid China’s expansion in the South China Sea and a few days after two Chinese fighter jets dangerously intercepted a US spy plane over international waters. Several weeks ago, Chinese warships were spotted off Alaska as President Barack Obama visited the state.