‘Irresponsible’: China Condemns US Pentagon Report, Rejects Claims Of Undermining India Ties | India News

China on Thursday sharply criticized a Pentagon report that claimed Beijing was trying to exploit New Delhi’s ties with Washington to weaken its ties with Washington by easing border tensions with India, calling the document “irresponsible” and misleading.

Responding to the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that the report distorts China’s defense policy and tries to create discord between China and other countries. “The Pentagon’s report distorts China’s defense policy, creates discord between China and other countries, and aims to find an excuse for the United States to maintain its military superiority,” Lin said at a media briefing, adding that China firmly opposes the report.

The criticism came after the US War Department’s annual report titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China to 2025 was submitted to Congress. The document claimed that China was likely trying to leverage de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India to stabilize bilateral ties and prevent further deepening of US-India relations. He also highlighted growing defense and space cooperation between China and Pakistan, suggesting that Beijing is “probably considering” establishing a military base there.

Separately, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang also dismissed the report, accusing Washington of misrepresenting China’s military intentions. “The United States releases such reports every year, which greatly interferes with China’s internal affairs,” Zhang said in a separate briefing. He described the document as full of “erroneous understandings and geopolitical bias”, alleging it exaggerated the so-called “Chinese military threat” to mislead the international community.

“We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this,” Zhang said, urging the United States to stop producing false narratives and provoking conflict.

Referring to India-China relations, Lin said that Beijing approaches relations with New Delhi from a long-term and strategic perspective. “We are ready to strengthen communication, increase mutual trust, promote cooperation, properly address differences with India and develop a solid and stable bilateral relationship,” he said.

Lin emphasized that the border issue remains a bilateral issue between China and India. “The current border situation between the two countries is generally stable with smooth communication channels,” he said, opposing what he called “unfounded and irresponsible comments” by third parties.

The US report cited a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit in October 2024, on the heels of an agreement to disengage from the remaining stalemate points along the LAC. The meeting marked the beginning of regular high-level talks, including discussions on border management, flights, visas and exchanges between academics and journalists.

The report also stated that China sees issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands and Arunachal Pradesh as part of its “core interests” and highlighted Beijing’s expanding military footprint and overseas targets, including possible facilities in Pakistan.

China has rejected these allegations, reiterating that its defense policy is defensive in nature and that US reports misrepresent its intentions.