China on Wednesday hit out at new US intelligence guidelines which pointed to Beijing as one of Washington's main challengers, accusing the United States of having a "Cold War mentality".
"We urge the US side to abandon its Cold War mentality and bias... and stop issuing remarks that mislead the American people and harm mutual trust between China and the United States," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said.
In a statement posted on the ministry's website, Jiang urged the United States to correct "mistakes" in the report.
The United States released its 2009 National Intelligence Strategy document yesterday, in which China's "natural resource-focused diplomacy and military modernisation" were pinpointed as factors making it a "global challenge."
However, Jiang sought to ease fears about Beijing's intentions.
"China has always been a firm force in safeguarding and promoting world peace and stability, and China's development does not threaten any country," she said.
The US intelligence guidelines for the next four years also elevated the importance of the cyber domain, and singled out China as "very aggressive in the cyberworld."
{{/usCountry}}The US intelligence guidelines for the next four years also elevated the importance of the cyber domain, and singled out China as "very aggressive in the cyberworld."
{{/usCountry}}Jiang made no reference to that specific claim.