A CHINESE naval chief warned his country's military might need to SINK two US aircraft carriers to solve disputes over the South China Sea - risking 10,000 lives.

Rear Admiral Lou Yuan - deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences - made his chilling threat while speaking at a top level military summit.

6 The nuclear-powered USS George Washington aircraft carrier docked in Busan, South Korea Credit: EPA

“What the United States fears the most is taking casualties,” the notoriously outspoken military expert declared.

He said the loss of one super carrier would cost the US the lives of 5,000 service men and women. Sinking two would double that toll.

“We’ll see how frightened America is,” he then said, reports news.com.

He bragged China’s new anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles are more than capable of taking out US carriers, despite them being at the centre of a "bubble" of defensive escorts.

6 The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson surrounded by a fleet of warships in the Philippine Sea Credit: Getty Images - Getty

6 The loss of one super carrier would cost the US the lives of 5,000 service men and women Credit: AFP

His threats came just ten days after experts warned a war between US and Chinese forces in the South China Sea could break out in 2019.

Concerns are mounting the two superpowers could become embroiled in a terrifying conflict in the directly contested region which could kill thousands of people.

Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst in defence strategy and capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra, told Sun Online: "Expect greater tension in the South China Sea. China won’t back down – nor will the US.

"The South China Sea will remain a key flashpoint between China and the US, who are now engaged in an extended period of strategic competition."

6 Rear Admiral Lou Yuan made his chilling threat at a top level military summit Credit: VOA(美国之音东方拍摄)

6 He said China’s anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles were more than capable of taking out US carriers Credit: Reuters

In his speech, Admiral lou said there were ‘five cornerstones of the United States’ open to exploitation: their military, their money, their talent, their voting system - and their fear of adversaries.

He said China should “use its strength to attack the enemy’s shortcomings. Attack wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit. Wherever the enemy is weak …”

It’s not the controversial commentator’s first aggressive outburst.

In December he said: “If the US naval fleet dares to stop in Taiwan, it is time for the People’s Liberation Army to deploy troops to promote national unity on (invade) the island.

6 The contested South China Sea may be at the centre of a future war, experts warn

Taiwan launches supersonic missile at target ship near fierce neighbour China

“Achieving China’s complete unity is a necessary requirement. The achievement of the past 40 years of reform and opening-up has given us the capability and confidence to safeguard our sovereignty.

"Those who are trying to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and Taiwan should be careful about their future.”

Observers at the Council on Foreign Relations’ Centre for Preventive Action have ranked the South China Sea as a hotspot as Beijing and Washington refuse to back down over who controls the oil and gas rich region.

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Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei argue they own parts of the sea — and the United States is prepared to back them with military force.

It is feared a showdown is on the cards which could spiral out of control.

Maochum Yu, a history professor at the US Naval Academy in Maryland, said confrontation in the region is all but "inevitable".