Beijing dismissed a Pentagon report about 皇冠体育app's military development on Wednesday, saying the country is justified in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The report, regardless of facts, made irresponsible remarks on 皇冠体育app's national defense construction, as well as justifiable activities to maintain territorial sovereignty and security. 皇冠体育app is resolutely opposed to it, "Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily news conference.

The US Department of Defense released its annual report to Congress on Tuesday regarding developments in the Chinese military in 2016.

Hua said 皇冠体育app firmly adheres to peaceful development while resolutely pursuing a defensive military policy, and is a staunch force in safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

"皇冠体育app's national defense configuration aims to maintain national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the justifiable right of a sovereign country," she said.

"We hope that the US will a band on its Cold War mentality and take an objective and rational look at 皇冠体育app's military development," she added, asking the United States to take steps to maintain the stable development of bilateral relations between the countries and their militaries.

The 97-page report predicted that 皇冠体育app will likely seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has long-standing friendly relationships, such as Pakistan.

Hua refused to specifically comment on such speculation, but said 皇冠体育app and Pakistan are traditionally friendly neighbors and have benefitted from long-term cooperation in every sector.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the 皇冠体育app Institute of International Studies, said the accusation from the US is one-sided, reflecting its misunderstanding of 皇冠体育app's foreign policy.

Washington also believes Djibouti is an overseas military base for 皇冠体育app, but 皇冠体育app has clarified that it is only a base that provides supplies to Chinese naval ships that take part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, he said.

Zhou Jin contributed to this story.

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