China criticizes Gates for his 'extremely irresponsible' words

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANI): The Chinese Defense Ministry has criticized US Defense Secretary Robert Gates for his "extremely irresponsible" words regarding China being one of America's main challengers.

Gates had said that China's investments in cyber and anti-satellite warfare, anti-air and anti-ship weaponry, and ballistic missiles could threaten America's move to project power and help its allies in the Pacific.

The Chinese Defence Ministry also lambasted an American intelligence report that listed China as one of America's main challengers.

"The views and words of the US has not a scrap of truth in them and is extremely irresponsible," said Defense Ministry spokesman Hu Changming on Thursday.

On Tuesday, a National Intelligence Strategy (NIS) report from Washington described Beijing as Washington's major challenger, the China Daily reports.

China's "increasing natural resource-focused diplomacy and military modernization are among the factors making it a complex global challenge," said the NIS document, which guides the US strategic analysis for the next four years.

Among the other "challengers" listed are Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

US Intelligence director Dennis Blair said after the release of the report that China is very aggressive in the cyber world.

Hu, in response, said China has consistently pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and resolutely followed a path of peaceful development. (ANI)