China on Thursday lashed out at a recent Pentagon (now: ‘Department of War’) report that claimed Beijing was slowly polarising India away from the US by improving ties, while also boosting defence cooperation with Pakistan.
“China firmly opposes the report,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters, as per an IANS report.
“The Pentagon’s report distorts China’s defence policy, sows discord between China and other countries, and aims at finding a pretext for the US to maintain its military supremacy,” he added.
He had been responding to a question about the US report—specifically if China sought to “capitalise” on reduced border tensions with India to “prevent the deepening of US-India ties”.
The report, recently submitted to Congress, had pointed out that China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh was a part of Beijing’s stated “core interests”—which include Taiwan and major maritime disputes—in its long-term national strategy.
The report also pointed out that Beijing continues to co-produce the JF-17 fighter aircraft with Pakistan, which remains one of the only buyers of the Chinese J-10 multirole combat aircraft.
Alleging that China supplied armed drones and naval vessels to Pakistan and several other countries, the report flagged Islamabad’s $3 billion purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines.
The US report also claimed that China was likely considering Pakistan as a potential location for future PLA military logistics facilities.
However, China has said that its bilateral relationship with India was already perceived by Beijing as “strategic” and “long-term”.
“The boundary question is a matter between China and India and the current border situation … is generally stable with smooth communication channels … we object to any country passing judgements about this issue,” he added.
India’s ties with China majorly thawed after high-level meetings at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) earlier this year, leading to direct flights resuming between the two countries.
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This came after steps to improve bilateral ties and resolve border tensions were taken after Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS 2024 Summit in Kazan, Russia—the first since a deadly 2020 border clash.
Yet, just last month, New Delhi issued a strong statement saying that Arunachal Pradesh was an “integral and inalienable” part of India.
This reaction came after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, was allegedly detained at Shanghai airport for 18 hours after Chinese authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport.
