China blames US perceptions for stalled military exchanges

The current obstacles to military exchanges between China and the United States stem from biased perceptions held by some in Washington, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Thursday, accusing US officials of exaggerating the so-called "China military threat."

Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks in response to recent comments by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who reportedly said that China is building a military designed to destroy the United States and that its hypersonic missiles could wipe out all US aircraft carriers within 20 minutes.

"Non-conflict, non-confrontation, and peaceful coexistence are the most fundamental common interests of China and the United States and the general expectation of people around the world," Zhang said.

He added that China is confident in the path of its own development and urged the US to stop viewing others through a lens of hostility.

"We hope the US side does not have a 'persecution complex,' always using others as an excuse," he said.