'China's military hardware development not aimed at any other country'

Beijing, Jan 12 (ANI): Guan Youfei, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Defense Ministry, has said that his country's military hardware development is not aimed at any other country.

"The development of China's military hardware is not aimed at any other country or any specific target and the timing was a matter of routine working arrangements," Xinhua quoted Guan, as saying.

He insisted that the country has developed weaponry to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and to adapt to the world's military changes, as well as the constant development of new weapons.

On Tuesday, China's military conducted a test flight of a new stealth fighter jet, overshadowing an important visit by US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates aimed at improving defense ties between the two nations.

However, Guan denied the test flight was timed deliberately to coincide with US Gates' visit to that country.

Stressing that China would always take the path of peaceful development, and adhere to the national defense policy, Guan said that Beijing would not seek hegemony, military expansion, an arms race, or pose a threat to any country. (ANI)