US report distorted the facts on military strength: China

China lashed out at a Pentagon report, which claimed that Beijing's rapidly growing military strength was altering balance of power in Asia, and asked Washington to halt the annual publication.

China on Wednesday lashed out at a Pentagon report, which claimed that Beijing's rapidly growing military strength was altering balance of power in Asia, and asked Washington to halt the annual publication.

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"This is a gross distortion of the facts and interference in China's internal affairs," Qin Gang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said.

"We have lodged solemn representations to the US side," Official news agency Xinhua quoted Qin as saying.

A US defence department report released said China is continuing to develop and field "disruptive military technologies" in nuclear, space and cyber warfare, that is altering regional military balances and may have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

Describing the report as "gross distortion" Qin claimed that China was unswervingly sticking to a path of peaceful national defence policy, which is purely defensive in nature.

The Chinese spokesman asked the US to abandon the Cold War mentality and stop issuing such reports on China's military, and its groundless censure against the nation. "We urged the US side to respect this basic fact," Qin said.