China opposes US report on Chinese military

China has firmly opposed a report by the US Defense Department that alleges that the modernization of its armed forces is designed to "improve its capacity to fight and win short-duration, high-intensity regional military conflicts."

A spokesperson with Foreign Ministry said the Pentagon's assessment of China's military is groundless.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "Every year, the US Defense Ministry publishes such a report to interfere in China's normal national defense building, and to spread fears of the "China military threat". This is not good for mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries. We firmly oppose the report."

The report also attacked China for its drawing of a straight baseline around the Diaoyu Islands in September 2012, saying China's assertiveness over its territorial claim to the Diaoyu Island is growing.

The report also accused China of cyber espionage to benefit its defense industries, military planners and government leaders. China refuted the accusations, saying it opposes any forms of computer hacking and that the country has called for global efforts to fight hacking.

Hua Chunying said, "China has repeatedly stated its opposition to any forms of computer hacking. China is willing to have peaceful and constructive dialogue with the US on cyber security issues. Groundless finger pointing and speculation can only harm the atmosphere of dialogue."