Beijing Rejects Claims on Military Expansion, Pakistan Ties; Reaffirms Stable Relations With India
China on Thursday strongly criticised the latest Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress, accusing Washington of distorting Beijing’s defence policy and exaggerating the so-called “China military threat” to justify American military dominance.
Responding to questions at a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the report misrepresents China’s national defence strategy, sows discord between China and other countries, and serves as a pretext for the US to maintain its global military supremacy.
“China firmly opposes this report,” Lin said, adding that it reflects geopolitical bias rather than objective analysis.
Defence Ministry Accuses US of Interference
Separately, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang also denounced the Pentagon’s annual assessment, accusing the US of gross interference in China’s internal affairs.
Zhang said the report maliciously misinterpreted China’s defence policy, made baseless assumptions about its military development, and slandered the normal activities of the Chinese armed forces.
“These reports are issued every year and follow the same narrative of exaggeration and provocation,” Zhang said, expressing “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition.”
While the report highlighted growing China-Pakistan cooperation in defence and space, and suggested Beijing may be considering a military base in Pakistan, Zhang declined to directly address those claims.
“The report reflects erroneous perceptions of China and a strong geopolitical agenda designed to mislead the international community,” he added, urging the US to stop fabricating false narratives and provoking confrontation.
China Reaffirms Strategic Ties With India
Addressing references to India-China relations in the report, Lin said Beijing views its relationship with New Delhi from a strategic and long-term perspective.
“China stands ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, properly manage differences, and advance a sound and stable bilateral relationship with India,” he said.
On the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Lin stated that the boundary issue remains a bilateral matter and that the current border situation is generally stable with smooth communication channels.
“China opposes groundless and irresponsible comments by relevant countries,” he added.
What the US Report Said on India-China Relations
In its annual report titled “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025”, released on Tuesday, the US Department of War said China is seeking to capitalise on easing tensions along the LAC to stabilise ties with India and prevent closer US-India relations.
The report referenced a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in October 2024, noting that an agreement to disengage from remaining standoff points along the LAC was reached shortly before the meeting.
According to the report, the Xi-Modi interaction marked the beginning of monthly high-level engagements, focusing on border management and broader cooperation, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and academic and media exchanges.
The Pentagon report also claimed that China has expanded the scope of its “core interests” to include Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh, and highlighted Beijing’s growing defence cooperation with Pakistan, including the possible consideration of establishing a military base there.
