Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing on Thursday that China and the Unites States should increase mutual understanding and boost cooperation as the two share extensive common interests in international affairs.

Qin made the remarks at a routine press conference commenting on U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates remarks that he does not view China as "a strategic adversary" of the United States despite China's increase of military budget.

"I do not see China, at this point, as a strategic adversary of the United States," Gates said Wednesday in Washington. "It's a partner in some respects. It's a competitor in other respects, and so we are simply watching to see what they're doing."

Qin said China adheres to a defensive policy of national defense. "We keep reasonable amount of defense power to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

China and the United States are not only stake-holders, but also constructive cooperators, said Qin.

He said the two sides should push forward the China-U.S. constructive and cooperative relations and continue to enhance cooperation in accordance with the consensus reached by the two presidents.

China said Sunday its defense budget for 2007 is 350.921 billion yuan, 17.8 percent higher than that of last year.

Source: Xinhua