US urged to be rational on Chinese military build-up

The Chinese defence ministry has called on the United States to be objective and rational regarding the development of the Chinese military.

Ren Guoqiang, a ministry spokesman, made the remarks in a statement released on the ministry’s website on Wednesday, responding to the recent US national security strategy report.

“The report, regardless of fact, had created sensational hype about China’s efforts to modernise its national defence and cast doubt on the intention of Chinese military development,” Ren said.

He said the US report ran counter to the theme of peace and development, which was “the call of our day”, and the trend of development in China-US relations.

“We hope that the United States will abandon its Cold War mentali- ty, be objective and rational about Chinese military development and work with China to promote dialogue, cooperation and positive interaction between the two countries’ militaries,” Ren said.

He also called for joint efforts to make ties between the two militaries a factor for stability between the two countries and to maintain world and regional peace.

He stressed that China would continue its efforts to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, uphold international order and maintain a path of peaceful development.

“The Chinese military remains committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other countries’ militaries and taking more responsibilities internationally within its own capability,” he said. — Xinhua