THE first public meeting of No Cold War Britain took place in Cardiff on Monday evening, condemning Britain’s increased military spending and its cold war rhetoric against China.

The meeting was organised by readers and supporters of the Morning Star in Wales.

Author Carlos Martinez told the audience that US general Mike Minihan recently predicted a full-scale war between US and China within the next few years.

“We need to promote understanding of China, we need to consolidate our forces and ultimately, we need to build the type of mass movement against war that can't be ignored,” Mr Martinez said.

Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths, recently returned from a visit to China, said that many on the left have swallowed anti-China propaganda from the British media.

“One of the core beliefs of China’s road to socialism is internationalism and to share their growth with the rest of the human race,” he said.

“During the Covid pandemic, China supplied billions of doses of its vaccines and hundreds of billions of medical items to more than 165 countries around the world at low, or no cost.”

Fiona Edwards, a member of the No Cold War international and British committee, said: “It’s vital that we’re having this discussion because we need to mobilise the anti-war movement.”

She explained that through the Morning Star, social media and the trade union movement we can influence the debate away from a new cold war.

* No Cold War Britain’s website is www.nocoldwar.org and can be followed on Twitter @NCWBritain