During a time of historic lows in relations between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang issued a warning on Tuesday that unless the United States changes direction, Beijing and Washington will be on a collision course for “conflict and confrontation,” taking a confrontational stance.

During his initial news briefing since assuming office at the end of the previous year, Qin used tough language that defied expectations of China possibly abandoning its aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy in favor of more moderate rhetoric as the two nations grapple over trade, technology, human rights, Taiwan, and Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, the Associated Press.

While speaking to journalists on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of its rubber-stamp legislature, where leaders outline their economic and political objectives for the forthcoming year, Qin stated that Washington’s China policy has “completely veered off from the reasonable and stable path.”

“If the United States does not hit the brake, but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing and there surely will be conflict and confrontation,” said Qin. “Such competition is a reckless gamble, with the stakes being the fundamental interests of the two peoples and even the future of humanity.”

The statements made by Qin were similar to the remarks delivered by leader Xi Jinping during a speech to lawmakers on Monday, as reported by the AP.

Written by staff