Beijing has strongly condemned a recent US Pentagon report that accused China of attempting to undermine India’s relationship with the United States during a period of eased border tensions. Chinese officials described the report as “irresponsible” and a misrepresentation of China’s defense policies and international relations. The report’s intent, according to China, is to create friction and justify American military ambitions.
The US Department of War’s annual assessment, “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025,” suggested that China was strategically positioned to benefit from the de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. The report posited that Beijing’s objective was to stabilize its own ties with India while simultaneously hindering the growth of the US-India partnership. Furthermore, the document highlighted increasing military and space cooperation between China and Pakistan, with speculation about potential Chinese military installations in Pakistan.
China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, echoed the criticism, denouncing the report as a yearly exercise in “gross interference” in China’s domestic affairs. He characterized the document as a product of “erroneous understandings and geopolitical bias,” designed to amplify the perceived “Chinese military threat” and mislead the global community. China’s firm opposition and strong dissatisfaction were clearly communicated, with a call for the US to cease its practice of generating false narratives and provoking conflict.
On the subject of relations with India, Chinese officials reiterated their commitment to a long-term and strategic approach. They expressed readiness to enhance communication, build trust, deepen cooperation, and resolve differences with India, aiming for a robust and stable bilateral relationship. The border issue was affirmed as a bilateral concern, with current communication channels described as smooth and the border situation as generally stable. China rejects external interference and “groundless” commentary on this matter.
The US report also touched upon a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in October 2024, following mutual disengagement from LAC standoff points. This engagement was presented as the start of a new phase of high-level dialogue on border management and other bilateral exchanges.
China maintains its firm stance that its defense policy is defensive and reiterates its objections to the US report’s purported misinterpretations of its military intentions and regional activities.