ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday rejected as "rubbish and mere fabrication" reports that China is seeking military bases in the country.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remarks at weekly press briefing when asked about a report in a local newspaper that China was interested in setting up military bases in Pakistan's tribal area close to the Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang to counter the activities of extremists.

"This can only be termed as rubbish," Tehmina Janjua said. "It is purely a fabrication and I reject it."