The report "made groundless accusations over the normal national defense development of China, interferes with China's internal affairs (and) plays up the theory of a China military threat," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.

"We are opposed to this and have made solemn representations to the US side."

The four-yearly report on the US military outlook that was released last week, entitled the Quadrennial Defense Review, noted China's steady but secretive military build-up since 1996.

"Of the major and emerging powers, China has the greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States and field disruptive military technologies that over time offset traditional US military advantages," the report said.

The pace and scope of China's military build-up already puts regional military balances at risk, the report said.

It listed an array of high-end military capabilities that China was investing in.

They include electronic and cyberwarfare, counter-space operations, ballistic and cruise missiles, advanced integrated air defense systems, next generation torpedoes, strategic nuclear missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The report, however, said US policy was aimed at encouraging China to choose a path of peaceful economic growth and political liberalization, rather than military threat or intimidation.

Kong countered that China was "already firmly on the path of peaceful development" and "will not pose any threat to any nation."

"The US should correct its wrong view and practices and treat China's peaceful development in an objective and positive manner," Kong said.

"It should stop making groundless remarks on normal defense improvement of China, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and do more to benefit the stable and healthy development of Sino-US relations."

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