China has vehemently refuted a recent Pentagon report that alleged Beijing is exploiting eased border tensions with India to undermine U.S.-India relations while simultaneously bolstering defense ties with Pakistan. Beijing asserts that the report, which also touched upon defense and space cooperation with Pakistan and potential military base plans, is a deliberate fabrication aimed at creating international discord.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a press conference that the Pentagon’s assessment “distorts China’s defense policy, sows discord between China and other countries, and aims at finding a pretext for the U.S. to maintain its military supremacy.” He emphasized China’s strong opposition to the report, viewing it as an annual tactic by the U.S. to interfere in China’s internal affairs and misrepresent its defense strategy.

Adding to the criticism, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang dismissed the report as a product of “erroneous views” and “strong geopolitical bias.” He accused the U.S. of exaggerating a “Chinese military threat” to mislead global perceptions and vowed that China would not directly address claims regarding its defense cooperation with Pakistan. Zhang urged the U.S. to cease its fabrications and provocations.

Regarding its relationship with India, China reiterated its commitment to a strategic and long-term approach. “We stand ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and properly handle differences with India, and advance a sound and stable bilateral relationship,” Lin Jian commented. He described the current border situation along the Line of Actual Control as generally stable, with open communication channels, and criticized “groundless and irresponsible comments” from other nations regarding this matter. The U.S. report had suggested that China might be using a calmer border situation to weaken U.S.-India ties and noted China’s inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh within its territorial claims.