During a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang highlighted the deepening tensions between China and the U.S. He cited the “unmanned airship” incident and oppositional positions on the Russo-Ukrainian war as causes.

Qin’s news conference took place in Beijing on the margins of the First Session of the 14th National People’s Congress.

“The United States claims that it seeks to “out-compete” China but does not seek conflict. Yet in reality, its so-called “competition” means to contain and suppress China in all respects and get the two countries locked in a zero-sum game,” Qin said.

He added that “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 will surely be conflict and confrontation.”

Qin stated that China would continue to follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, to pursue a sound and stable relationship with the United States.