A military showdown between China and the US would be an “unbearable disaster” for the world, according to Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu. Speaking yesterday at the Shangri-La Dialogue (aka Asia’s top security summit that was addressed by PM Anthony Albanese on Friday night), it was Li’s first big outing since his appointment in March. Some analysts said he was restrained, but others say he was clear about China’s ambition for power – even if it means clashing with the US. “As the lyrics of a well-known Chinese song goes, when friends visit us, we welcome them with fine wine. When jackals or wolves come we will face them with shotguns.” Yikes… It wasn’t the only near-collision this weekend – a Chinese warship came within 140m of hitting an American destroyer transiting the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. China said the US is being provocative by being there, but American officials said they’re keeping one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes open.