Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang Warns of “Catastrophic Consequences” if US Does Not Change Course

At a press conference on Tuesday, China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned of “catastrophic consequences” if the United States does not change its current course. Qin said that if the US does not hit the brakes, “no amount of guardrails can prevent the crash” and that “conflict and confrontation” with the US is inevitable.

Qin’s comments come at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries, with the US accusing China of unfair trade practices and human rights abuses. Qin accused the US of taking a “reckless gamble” in how it treats its fellow superpower.

The warning was delivered at the annual meeting of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to complete the biggest overhaul of the country’s government in decades. Qin said that the US must recognize China’s “core interests” and “major concerns” and that the US must respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Qin’s comments come as the US has been increasingly critical of China’s human rights record, including its treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. The US has also imposed tariffs on Chinese imports and taken other measures to pressure China to change its policies.

The US and China have been locked in a trade war for more than two years, and the two countries have yet to reach a comprehensive trade deal. Qin’s comments suggest that the US and China are unlikely to reach a resolution anytime soon, and that tensions between the two countries are likely to remain high.