The world's two biggest economies are engaged in a bitter trade war. And the widening divide between Washington and Beijing goes beyond just trade. Spokesman Wu Qian of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense says the American and Chinese militaries should expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits. He also warned no outside interference is allowed in the Taiwan issue. CGTN's Han Bin has the details.

HAN BIN "One focus of Thursday's press conference was China-US military issues."

On May 19th, a US Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles off China's Huang Yan Island, also known as Scarborough Shoal. It's the 2nd freedom of navigation operation by the US Navy in the South China Sea in a single month. And earlier this month, the US Department of Defense released its annual report on Chinese military capabilities, criticizing China's activities in the Nansha, or Spratly Islands, as militarization. Beijing strongly opposed those moves.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "The Chinese side has issued resolute responses to the provocations by the US side, The PLA is fully prepared to safeguard national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We hope that the US can meet us halfway, to expand mutual cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits, properly handle differences on the basis of mutual respect, and develop US-China relations on the basis of coordination, cooperation and stability."

The Chinese military has also strongly objected to a meeting between US National Security Adviser John Bolton and one of Taiwan's top officials. It slammed Washington for engaging with the island.

Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives backed legislation supporting Taiwan, as lawmakers pushed for a sharper approach to relations with Beijing. The Pentagon says Washington has sold Taiwan more than 15-billion dollars of arms since 2010.

Chinese military analysts say the traditional foundations of economic ties and military dialogue mechanisms are breaking down. If the Trump Administration hits China with more sanctions and provocative military actions, the Chinese military has to come up with tougher countermeasures.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "Taiwan is a part of China, the Taiwan issue is China's domestic politics and it has to do with China's core interests. The Taiwan issue bears no interference of any outside forces. Recently, the US side frequently played the Taiwan Card in an attempt to contain China, which is only wishful thinking. The One China principle is widely accepted by the international community. This principle also serves as the pivotal political foundation of relations. If the US side is playing with fire, it seriously hurts the advancement of China US ties, and seriously undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

At the Shangri-la Dialogue which opens tomorrow in Singapore, Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe, and US acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan will both deliver major speeches. It will be a chance for the two militaries to open a discussion on their differences and deal with the worsening ties.

Han Bin, CGTN, Beijing.