Beijing criticizes Pentagon report on China military
Iran Press TV
Fri Jun 6, 2014 4:8PM GMT
China has criticized a US Pentagon report saying boosting Beijing's ability to project military power abroad is the main reason for massive increases of the army budget.
The Chinese military is purely for defending the country's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and is a "force for world peace," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a news briefing in Beijing on Friday.
The statement follows the US Defense Department's annual report to Congress saying China is expanding the reach of its navy, upgrading its air force, and developing new types of missiles.
The report also said China is investing heavily in cyberspace, space and electronic warfare.
Beijing, however, criticized the Pentagon report as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs and a smear on its reputation.
"We hope the US can shake off bias, view the development of China's defense capability objectively and rationally [and] stop issuing the relevant reports," Hong said Friday.
The ministry spokesman also criticized on Thursday a recent statement by the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations that expressed concern over tensions in the East and South China seas.
Hong said that China would defend its maritime borders according to international law and conventions, and expressed readiness to resolve any difference over disputed South China Sea through holding talks with concerned countries.
He stressed that countries outside the region should deal with the issue objectively and avoid stoking tensions over the disputed seas.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The waters are believed to sit atop vast reserves of oil and gas.
GMA/AB
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