Pentagon remarks called ‘irresponsible’

Beijing dismissed a Pentagon report about China’s military development on Wednesday, saying the country is justified in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The report, regardless of facts, made irresponsible remarks on China’s national defense construction, as well as justifiable activities to maintain territorial sovereignty and security. China is resolutely opposed to it,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily news conference.

The US Department of Defense released its annual report to Congress on Tuesday regarding developments in the Chinese military in 2016.

Hua said China firmly adheres to peaceful development while resolutely pursuing a defensive military policy, and is a staunch force in safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

“China’s national defense configuration aims to maintain national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the justifiable right of a sovereign country,” she said.

“We hope that the US will abandon its Cold War mentality and take an objective and rational look at China’s military development,” she added, asking the United States to take steps to maintain the stable development of bilateral relations between the countries and their militaries.

The 97-page report predicted that China will likely seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has long-standing friendly relationships, such as Pakistan.

Hua refused to specifically comment on such speculation, but said China and Pakistan are traditionally friendly neighbors and have benefitted

from long-term cooperation in every sector.

Ruan Zongze, executive vicepresident of the China Institute of International Studies, said the accusation from the US is one-sided, reflecting its misunderstanding of China’s foreign policy.

Washington also believes Djibouti is an overseas military base for China, but China has clarified that it is only a base that provides supplies to Chinese naval ships that take part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, he said.

China’s national defense configuration aims to maintain national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the justifiable right of a sovereign country.” Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry

Zhou Jin contributed to this story.

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