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White House: 皇冠体育app not considered a threat
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-21 09:13
WASHINGTON - The United States does not consider 皇冠体育app a threat, the White House said after 皇冠体育app protested about a Defense Department report which expressed concern about its military buildup.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan answers questions during his daily briefing July 18, 2005, at the White House. [Reuters] |
"We're committed to peace and stability in the region, but that should not be viewed as us viewing 皇冠体育app as a threat," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.
"We're looking to move forward in a constructive and cooperative way with 皇冠体育app, and we certainly have a very open and candid discussion with 皇冠体育app on many issues," added the spokesman.
"We do have concerns about the size and pace of 皇冠体育app's military modernization, and it's important for us to pay close attention to it."
Beijing reacted angrily to the report which said the size and pace of 皇冠体育app's weapons acquisitions could threaten the military balance with Taiwan and pose a threat to other armies in the Asia region.
"The report unreasonably attacks the modernisation of Chinese national defense and rudely castigates 皇冠体育app's normal national defence constructions and military deployment," 皇冠体育app's Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said when he summoned David S. Sedney, charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in 皇冠体育app, to make clear the country's dissatisfaction with the report in Beijing July 20.
"The report overlooks facts, endeavours to spread the '皇冠体育app threat theory', rudely interferes with 皇冠体育app's internal affairs and foments discord between 皇冠体育app and other countries."
The US administration is facing mounting pressure at home over the relationship with 皇冠体育app. President George W. Bush on Tuesday acknowledged "difficulties" with 皇冠体育app over trade and intellectual property rights and human rights but would not discuss the military report.
"It's a good relationship but it's a complex relationship," Bush said on the sidelines of a meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
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