Foreign Ministry: China objects to U.S. playing up ''China threat''

BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- China objects to a senior U.S. Defense Department official's remarks playing up a "China threat", said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday.

Richard Lawless, U.S. deputy undersecretary of defense for Asian and Pacific affairs, said on Wednesday China's growing military strength is breaking the balance between Chinese mainland and Taiwan and has influenced regional and even the world's balance of power, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

Testifying before the U.S. Congress, Lawless said the United States hopes to hold a strategic dialogue with China.

Qin said China has explained many times its policy of peaceful development, it defense policy which is defensive in nature and its stance on the Taiwan issue.

He said China is open and transparent on its military spending.

"We hope the U.S. side will strictly abides by its commitment to the one-China policy, which it reiterated on many occasions, observe the three Sino-U.S. communiques, oppose 'Taiwan independence' and do not send wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists by selling weapons to Taiwan," said Qin.

Qin added that China is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with the United States on defense matters, in a bid to promote mutual understanding and trust.

"China hopes through these exchanges, the U.S side can have correct understanding of China's national defense policy and stance on the Taiwan issue," he said.