Rubio: US-China conflict would be catastrophic for world

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington does not want a conflict with China, warning that any major confrontation between the world's two largest economies would have severe global consequences.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Rubio said a direct clash between the United States and China should be avoided.

“Any confrontation between Washington and Beijing—be it economic or, military, God forbid—would be catastrophic for both countries and the world.”

His comments came a day after the United States expanded its trade restrictions against Chinese companies by adding 43 organisations to a list of entities whose products are barred from entering the US market.

The latest measures affect companies operating in sectors including mining, agriculture, seafood processing, metallurgy and transportation.

With the additions, the number of Chinese companies on the US blacklist has risen to 187.

Washington says the sanctions are linked to allegations of widespread human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Beijing has repeatedly rejected the accusations, describing them as unfounded.

By Sabina Mammadli