Beijing asserts US defense report hypes military threat from China

Beijing rejected US accusations contained in a Pentagon report on China's military development and urged Washington on Tuesday "not to send the wrong signals" over the Diaoyu Islands.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks in response to an annual report on Chinese military capabilities released on Monday.

Beijing objected to the 83-page US report, which said the baseline China drew around the Diaoyu Islands is inconsistent with international law.

The report for the first time also includes claims that some cyberattacks on US computers "appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military".

Observers said the report reflects Washington's sense of rivalry with China and attempts to justify its Asia "pivot" strategy by stirring up tensions between China and some neighboring countries that have territorial disputes.

Referring to the Diaoyu Islands, Hua said the baseline that China claims is "based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" and is "absolutely in line with international law and practices".

Relations between China and Japan, a key US ally in Asia, have been strained since Tokyo "nationalized" the islands last year. China has owned the islands for centuries.

"The US has said many times that it won't take sides over the islands issue, and we hope the US keeps its commitment and does more to boost regional peace and stability, instead of sending the wrong signals over the issue," Hua said at a daily news conference.

Li Haidong, a specialist in China-US relations in Beijing, said the US stance on the Diaoyu Islands will fuel right-wing forces in Japan.

Hua said China's defense buildup was geared toward protecting its national independence and sovereignty, adding that the country is committed to peaceful development, and pursues a defensive policy.

The US Defense Department has repeatedly "made irresponsible comments about China's normal and justified defense buildup and hyped the so-called China military threat", she added.

The spokeswoman also said China is firmly against computer hacking attacks in any form and would like to hold "calm and constructive" talks with the US about cybersecurity. "But groundless accusations and flare-ups will only hurt both sides' endeavors and the atmosphere for talks," Hua added.

In February, the Chinese government and military denied a report by the US computer security company Mandiant that accused the military of hacking US websites.

In contrast to Beijing's reaction, a Pentagon official tried on Monday to draw attention to the evolving relationship between the two countries' armed forces.

At a news briefing, David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, emphasized US efforts toward a healthy, stable, reliable and ongoing military-to-military relationship with China.

Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science and international relations at Pennsylvania's Bucknell University, said the report reflects mixed US feelings about the growing power of China, including its "concerns about the speed and scale of China's military modernization".

While focusing on China's strategy, military modernization, Taiwan contingencies and military exchanges, the report also mentions China's first aircraft carrier, stealth aircraft, space-based imaging and remote sensing, integrated air defense and military cyberspace capabilities.

China firmly opposes the interference of the US in China's military development, Hua said.

Su Hao, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, said the report, which "studies and evaluates China as a potential opponent", is not conducive to the increasingly stable Sino-US relations since US Secretary of State John Kerry visited China in April.

Bonnie Glaser, a China specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said both countries have recognized that military ties must be strengthened.

"However, I think as long as the two militaries are focused on developing capabilities against each other, it will be very difficult to make significant progress toward reducing suspicions and building mutual trust," Glaser said.