China denounces US military report as pretext for hegemony

China has condemned a US Department of Defence report on its military power, calling it a pretext to justify continued US military dominance.

During a briefing, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said the report, like its predecessors, is "full of prejudice" and "ignores the facts" while promoting the notion of a Chinese military threat, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The report is merely a pretext for maintaining US military hegemony," Lin stated, emphasizing China's commitment to being a peaceful force advocating for global stability, while also defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Lin urged Washington to abandon its hegemonic logic and view China's military development "objectively and rationally." He called on the US to halt the release of "irresponsible reports" and instead take steps to foster stable military relations between the two nations.

The Pentagon's annual report, which was submitted to Congress on December 18, claims China will be capable of deploying over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. Currently, the US estimates China’s nuclear arsenal exceeds 600 warheads.

The report also highlights that China's People’s Liberation Army Navy has become the largest in the world. It suggests that Beijing is spending significantly more on military needs than it publicly discloses, estimating a 40-90% underreporting of its military budget.

Additionally, the Pentagon claims that China has developed a "world-leading" hypersonic weapons arsenal.

Beijing has repeatedly rejected such characterizations, portraying itself as a proponent of peace while firmly defending its national interests.

By Aghakazim Guliyev