China on Monday expressed its "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to a report by the U.S. Defense Department on China's build-up of its military strength.

"The report exaggerates China's military strength and expenditure with ulterior motives," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a written statement.

"It disseminates the 'China threat' theory, severely violates norms of international relations and wantonly interferes with China's internal affairs," she said.

"As a peace-loving country," Jiang said, "China sticks to a path of peaceful development and adopts a defensive national defense policy.

She continued, "The international community has a fair judgment that China is an important force in promoting peace in the Asia-Pacific and the world.

"It is the responsibility of any sovereign nation to conduct necessary national defense build-up to safeguard national security and territorial integrity.

"This report propagating the 'China threat theory' is completely erroneous and futile.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and China firmly opposes any country that interferes in its internal affairs through any means.

"The Chinese government adheres to the principles of peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems.'

"We will show our utmost sincerity and do our best in seeking peaceful reunification of the motherland but we will never tolerate 'Taiwan independence' and allow any secessionist activities.

"We urge the United States to adhere to the one-China policy and the three joint communiques, oppose 'Taiwan independence', stop selling weapons and sending any wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists," Jiang concluded.

Source: Xinhua