The "pursuit of Taiwan independence is a dead end," China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, on Sunday.

He said China would do anything in its power to stop Taiwanese independence amid soaring tensions with the United States over the issue.

"If anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight. We will fight at all costs, and we definitely will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China," Wei warned.

His statement comes a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized China for a "more coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims."