Chinese president warns against 'new Cold War'

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the world must avoid any kind of new Cold War. "It is necessary to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, and oppose any form of 'new Cold War' and ideological confrontation," he commented during a video address broadcast on Tuesday.

Without naming the United States, he took aim at what he called the "unilateralism of certain countries". "The rules set by one or several countries should not be imposed on others," Xi said. "A big country must act like a big country and show more responsibility."

Xi was giving the keynote speech, via video link, to the Boao Forum economic conference on Hainan Island in southern China. State media said around 2,600 representatives, mainly government officials and business executives, attended the Forum in person. Xi's indirect criticism of the United States came as Beijing and Washington continue to argue over a range of issues including trade, human rights and China's military assertiveness beyond its borders. 

Image Credits: AP