U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that China with its power and ideological values is the greatest global threat in the long term. This is according to a Politico article.

Blinken outlined two competing visions of what the world might look like in the future: one based on China, an authoritarian one-party state, the other based on the U.S. vision of uniting allies and partners for whom the common values are democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order.

"China is the only state that both seeks to change the world order and has the increasing economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to be able to do so. Beijing's vision would turn us away from the universal values that have largely kept the world progressing for the past 75 years," Blinken said.

He stressed that the U.S. does not want conflict or a new Cold War and is determined to avoid both.

"We will not try to take away China's role as a great global player, to prevent it or any other country - from developing its economy or advancing the interests of its people. But we will protect and strengthen international law, agreements, principles and institutions that support peace and security ... and make an environment in which all countries, including the United States and China, can coexist and cooperate," the secretary of state said.

Blinken added that despite all their differences, the U.S. and China "will have to deal with each other" for the foreseeable future and this is "one of the most complex and defining relationships we have in the world right now."

The secretary of state noted the potential risks to the U.S. and allies posed by China's cooperation with Russia.

"When Russia was openly preparing to invade Ukraine, President Xi and President Putin declared a 'boundless friendship' with their states. And this week, when President Biden was in Japan, China and Russia conducted joint strategic bomber patrols in the region," Blinken noted.

The Chinese embassy responded to his remarks by saying that China-US relations are "at a defining crossroads" and Beijing hopes that the sides will iron out their differences and focus on cooperation.