Beijing Criticises US Defence Policy Act for Exaggerating China Threat and Sending Wrong Signals
China has sharply criticised the latest United States National Defense Authorization Act, accusing Washington of exaggerating the so called China threat and urging American policymakers to adopt a more rational and objective view of bilateral relations.
Speaking on behalf of the Chinese foreign ministry, officials said the defence policy act seriously distorts China’s national defence policy and development path, while undermining China’s sovereignty and legitimate development interests. Beijing argued that the legislation reflects a Cold War mentality that treats China as a strategic adversary rather than a partner in managing global challenges.
The annual defence policy act authorises military spending and outlines Washington’s security priorities, with China once again identified as a central concern. Chinese officials said such framing ignores the reality of China’s stated commitment to peaceful development and risks pushing relations further toward confrontation.
According to the foreign ministry, the act uses biased language and unsubstantiated assumptions to justify expanded military deployments and closer security coordination with US allies in the Asia Pacific. Beijing warned that these measures increase regional tensions and threaten stability, particularly in sensitive areas such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also issued a separate statement condemning provisions in the act that relate to Taiwan. Officials said the legislation sends misguided signals to separatist forces on the island by encouraging military cooperation and arms sales. They stressed that Taiwan is an internal Chinese matter and that any external interference violates the one China principle and international commitments made by the United States.
The Taiwan Affairs Office warned that continued US support for Taiwan’s military capabilities could embolden pro independence groups and raise the risk of miscalculation. It added that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait depend on respecting China’s sovereignty and opposing any form of separatism.
Beijing urged Washington to stop using China as a political tool in domestic debates and strategic planning. Officials said portraying China as a threat serves narrow interests but damages mutual trust and cooperation on issues such as climate change, global economic stability and regional security.
Chinese analysts say the defence policy act reflects growing competition between the two powers but argue that framing the relationship purely in military terms is counterproductive. They point out that economic ties between China and the United States remain deeply intertwined and that both countries have shared responsibilities in managing global risks.
At the same time, Chinese officials reiterated that Beijing will firmly defend its core interests. They said China will take necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty, security and development rights, while remaining open to dialogue based on mutual respect.
The latest exchange highlights the increasingly strained nature of US China relations, with defence and security issues becoming central points of friction. While Washington insists the legislation is aimed at deterrence, Beijing sees it as a deliberate attempt to contain China’s rise.
As tensions persist, Chinese officials called on the United States to return to a pragmatic approach, reduce strategic misjudgment and work toward stable relations rather than confrontation.
