Beijing has strongly criticized a recent Pentagon report, accusing the United States of attempting to undermine relations between China and India to further its own military dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. According to Beijing, the report distorts China's defense policies, sows discord, and creates a pretext for the U.S. to maintain its military supremacy.
The U.S. Department of War's annual report to Congress, titled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025," assesses China's military capabilities and strategic intentions. The report suggests that China is leveraging the reduction in tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India to stabilize bilateral relations and prevent closer ties between New Delhi and Washington. It also highlights China's growing military power, including its nuclear arsenal, maritime capabilities, and advancements in cyber and space domains, posing a threat to the American homeland.
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Beijing views its relations with New Delhi from a strategic and long-term perspective and is ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and properly handle differences with India. Lin Jian also emphasized that the boundary question is a matter between China and India, and the current border situation is generally stable with open communication channels. China opposes any third party passing judgement on the matter.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang also denounced the Pentagon report, calling it biased and claiming that it exaggerated the "Chinese military threat" to mislead the international community. He criticized the U.S. for interfering in China's internal affairs and making unfounded speculations about China's military development.
The Pentagon report also took note of the October 2024 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which led to increased high-level engagements between the two countries. These discussions focused on border management mechanisms and steps to stabilize broader bilateral ties, including the resumption of direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchange initiatives.
Despite these engagements, the report suggests that India remains skeptical of China's actions and motives, and continued mutual distrust limits the bilateral relationship. The report also mentions China's expanding definition of its core interests to include Taiwan and sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh, which India strongly rejects.
The U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS), emphasizes economic security, military deterrence, and an evolving alliance architecture. The NSS identifies the Indo-Pacific as the world's strategic and economic center of gravity and stresses the importance of alliances and partnerships in the region. While the U.S. aims to deter China and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, it also seeks stable peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China.
