China expresses firm opposition to US' defense strategy smears

China has lodged solemn representations with the United States after the latter's defense department recently released its latest National Defense Strategy report which "hyped up the so-called China challenge and power competition", a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Friday.

"The China-related content of the report has continued its wrong 'threat-driven theory' and smeared China's normal military development by planning US defense strategy," said Senor Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, in a statement.

The report was "striking up the same old tune" of cold war mentality and zero-sum game, he said, adding the Chinese side was firmly opposed to it.

Tan said China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, upholds the United Nations-centered international system and has been taking concrete action to uphold peace, promote development and participate in cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

"A strong Chinese military is not only a strategic support for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, but also a staunch force for world and regional peace and stability," the official said, stressing that has been seen by the international community.

The senior colonel criticized "those countries that stubbornly put their own interests first" and form coalitions to conduct "integrated deterrence" in Asia Pacific are the "pacing challenge" to the international system and the Asia-Pacific region.