US urged to take objective, rational perception of China

BEIJING -- China hopes the United States can take an objective and rational perception of China, a defense ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, calling on the US side to stop hyping up the so-called "China military threat."

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the recently released US 2026 National Defense Strategy. The document, released by the US Department of War, states that the United States will deter China in the Asia-Pacific through strength, not confrontation, and seek a wider range of military-to-military communications with the Chinese People's Liberation Army to maintain strategic stability with China and allow for a decent peace.

The document also says the US will erect a strong denial defense along the First Island Chain.

"Facts have proven that any attempt to contain or block China is doomed to fail," Jiang said.

Noting that following the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the right approach for China and the US to deal with each other, Jiang said China is willing to work with the US side to promote steady development of bilateral relations while resolutely safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests.

He called on the US to stop inciting bloc confrontation, stop saying one thing while doing the opposite on issues concerning China's core interests, and make concrete efforts to promote sound and steady development of relations between the two militaries.