• Source:JND

China on Thursday strongly criticised a recent US Pentagon report that suggested Beijing was easing tensions along the disputed India-China border to prevent closer strategic ties between New Delhi and Washington, accusing the United States of attempting to interfere in bilateral relations. 

Responding to the report, China’s Foreign Ministry said the assessment distorted Beijing’s defence policy and was aimed at “alienating China with another country” to justify continued US military dominance. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China firmly objected to what he described as misrepresentation of its intentions.

“The overall situation along the China-India border is stable at present, and communication channels between the two sides remain open,” Lin told a regular press briefing in Beijing. He added that China opposes “the relevant country making arbitrary comments on this matter,” stressing that border-related issues are strictly bilateral.

China Signals Willingness To Engage India

Lin said Beijing remains willing to strengthen communication with New Delhi, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation and properly manage differences to advance China-India relations “along a healthy and stable track.” He underlined that China views its ties with India from a “strategic and long-term perspective.”

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Pentagon Flags ‘Core Interests’ Including Arunachal 

The Pentagon report alleged that China was attempting to “leverage” easing border tensions with India to curb the deepening of US–India ties. It also flagged China’s claims over India’s Arunachal Pradesh as part of its stated “core interests,” grouping the northeastern Indian state with Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands.

According to the report, Chinese leaders have described unification with contested territories, particularly Taiwan, as a “natural requirement” for national rejuvenation.

National Rejuvenation And Military Ambitions

The report said Beijing’s long-term strategy is centred on achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049. As part of this goal, China aims to build a “world-class” military capable of “fight and win” operations while safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests. 

The Pentagon assessment also highlighted China’s expanding military cooperation with Pakistan. Beijing has supplied Islamabad with advanced military hardware over the past decade, including naval frigates and combat aircraft. It noted that China currently offers fighter jets such as the fifth-generation FC-31, the J-10C multirole fighter and the jointly developed JF-17 for export.

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