China's increased scientific strength in recent years has helped its military development, but it is wrong to see this normal development as a threat, a French expert said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Philippe Coue, the author of "Cosmonautes de Chine" (Astronauts of China), has been following developments of China's astronautics technology for more than 20 years.

He cited China's recent manned mission to refute the rumors on a Chinese military expansion.

"Someone thought China's successful manned mission with Shenzhou VI capsule promoted its astronautic military technology and that China would use all its development in a military expansion. It is a biased opinion," said Coue, who also holds a position in France's Dassault-Aviation company.

"The success of the manned mission with Shenzhou VI is not only a technological success, but also a symbol of a big country's technological strength and confidence. It can give active impetus to the spirit of the whole nation and bring development in civil industry," he added.

He said China's development in technologies is very fast and compatible with its rapid economic growth.

China has experienced a high-speed growth and its development mode has been recognized by the international community, said Coue, adding that the country has been seeing its status heightened and its military affairs reformed.

As to the "China threat" recently played up by the United States, he said Washington's worry about China is not new.

For some internal reasons or circumstantial needs, the United States comes up with the so-called "China threat" every other year to build up an imaginary enemy or to divert opinions on some political issues, the expert said.

This hackneyed theme has now come again, and it will still repeat in the future, Coue concluded.

Source: Xinhua