Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi summoned David Sedney, Chargé D'affaires of the US embassy in China, to lodge a solemn representation to the US government over the issuance of the so-called Annual Report on China's Military Power by the US Defense Department.

Yang said the report groundlessly criticizes China's defense modernization drive, and makes unwarranted charges about its normal defense construction and military deployment. The report, with no concrete basis, claims China has become the world's third largest military spender, and that its rapid military modernization poses a threat to the US and other powers in the Asia-Pacific region. The assertion that Taiwan needs to develop countermeasures against China's military modernization drive was an excuse for the US to sell its advanced weaponry. The report tries to spread the rhetoric of "China threat," a move that interferes into China's internal affairs and foments dissension between China and its neighbors. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such an act that severely breaches the basic norms governing international relations and runs counter to the principles in the three Sino-US joint communiqués.

Yang stressed that China adheres to the independent foreign policy of peace and adopts a defensive policy toward national defense. Upholding the banners of peace, development and cooperation, China is an important force in promoting peace in the Asia-Pacific and the world at large. In recent years, China's defense expenditure has increased along with its economic development in an effort to improve the living conditions of its servicemen and women. At the same time, it is necessary for Chinese armed forces to upgrade some weaponry to cope with the complex international situation, safeguard state sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. This is the due right of China as a sovereign state and no other country has the right to intervene. In comparison with other large nations, China's defense expenditure remains relatively low. China's military spending in 2004 was US$25.579 billion, whereas US defense expenditure hit US$455.9 billion ? 17.8 times that of China's total and 77 times that of China on a per capita basis. The people of the whole world will make their own judgment and what qualifications does the US have to make indiscreet remarks over China's defensive policy toward national defense? It must be noted that China's military exchanges and cooperation with other countries is justified and does not target at any other third country. It is utterly wrong for the US to create obstacles in this regard.

Yang emphasized that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and we are firmly opposed to the interference of any form into China's internal affairs by any foreign state. The Chinese government adheres to basic principles of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and will try its utmost efforts with utmost sincerity to achieve a peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Straits but will never tolerate "Taiwan independence" or any move to separate Taiwan from China by anyone in any way. We have the confidence and capability to achieve the reunification of the motherland. The US needs to fulfill its commitments with actual deeds, stick to the one-China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, oppose Taiwan independence and stop selling weapons to Taiwan and terminate its military relations with Taiwan rather than call white black, create excuses for its continued sales of weapons to Taiwan and send wrong signals to the separatist forces attempting for Taiwan independence, so as to maintain the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits as well as the common interests of both China and the US.

Yang finally said that the US should value progress made in its relations with China in recent years, and act to help their sound and steady growth rather than making trouble. It is the mainstream for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to seek peace, development and cooperation and such a trend is continuing to develop. Countries in Asia-Pacific region generally believe the development of China is an opportunity instead of a threat. This is also the consensus of the international community. The report meticulously prepared by the US Defense Department tries to spread the idea of "China threat", which is doomed to be in vain. China solemnly demands the US to follow the trend, respect truth, correct mistakes and stop attacking China groundlessly, interfering into China's internal affairs and speaking or doing things harmful to China-US relations.