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The ministry's comment followed the U.S. and Japan's criticism
of what they called Beijing's "provocative" behavior in the
South and East China Seas, joint military exercises with Russia
and the rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal.
U.S. and Japan leaders on Sunday unveiled a new military
structure that would be implemented in parallel with Tokyo's own
plans to establish a joint command for its forces by March 2025.
It would be among several measures taken to address what the
countries said was an "evolving security environment", noting
various threats from China.
"They maliciously attacked and discredited China on maritime
issues and made irresponsible remarks on China's normal military
development and national defense policy," said Lin Jian, a
spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry during a regular
press briefing."
"China is strongly dissatisfied with the exaggeration of China's
threat and the malicious speculation of regional tensions," Lin
added.
The U.S. in annual reports on China's military has called out
the world's second-largest economy for rapidly growing its
military arsenal and nuclear warheads.
"China has always followed the path of peaceful development,
firmly pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in
nature, and its national defense construction and military
activities are legitimate and reasonable," Lin said.
He added that China "has always maintained its nuclear
capabilities at the minimum level required for national security
and does not pose a threat to any country."
"We strongly urge the United States and Japan to immediately
stop interfering with China's internal affairs and stop creating
imaginary enemies," Lin said.
(Reporting by Liz Lee; Writing by Bernard Orr Editing by
Christian Schmollinger and Sharon Singleton)
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