China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that the United States is deliberately distorting Beijing’s defense policy in an attempt to hinder the improvement of relations between China and India, Reuters reports.
Source: Espreso
According to him, the Pentagon’s statement is unfounded and constitutes interference in bilateral affairs. Lin Jian was commenting on an assessment by the U.S. Department of Defense in response to a question about whether China might use the recent easing of tensions with India over disputed border areas to its advantage.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Beijing views its relations with New Delhi from a strategic and long-term perspective, and that border issues are an exclusive matter between the two countries.
“We oppose any country expressing its opinion on this issue,” Lin Jian stated.
The Chinese statement came after the Pentagon noted in its report that China is likely seeking to take advantage of reduced tensions with India to stabilize bilateral relations and prevent deeper cooperation between the United States and India.