China refutes US criticism on military spending
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-07 08:37 A Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman on Tuesday refuted the United States' recent criticism on China's lack
of transparency in military spending, saying the censure is "groundless."
Spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remark in response to a question concerning
U.S. Defense Minister Donald Rumsfeld's recent criticism on China's military
development and its lack of transparency.
"The development of China's national defense is peaceful development, and
does not pose threat to any country or any person," Liu said.
China's military is defensive in nature and it has no history of invading
other countries, Liu said, calling on the international community to have
"clear" understanding about this point.
"We cannot accept the constant criticism from the country which has the
largest military spending in the world," he said.
Rumsfeld made the criticism during a defense conference in Singapore, also
known as the Shangri-la Dialogue, over the weekend.
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