Chinese defence minister tells US counterpart containing China 'futile'

The two strategic rivals also discussed the fraught issues of Taiwan and the South China Sea, according to CCTV.

"Any attempt or interference to use force to support independence or use Taiwan to contain China will be thwarted", Dong Jun told US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a video call.

In the South China Sea, Dong said Beijing "firmly opposes infringement and provocation by certain countries and the deliberate incitement of chaos by countries outside the region", CCTV reported.

The US Navy has regularly sent ships to conduct "freedom of navigation" transits in the region, angering Beijing.

"We must... build an equal, respectful, peacefully coexistent, stable and positive military-to-military relationship. We must respect each other's core interests," Dong said.

(Staff reporter and AFP)