Beijing on Tuesday dismissed an annual Pentagon report that accused it of widespread cyberspying on the US government, rejecting it as an "irresponsible" attempt to drum up fear of China as a military threat.
The paper came as concerns in Washington have grown over Beijing's double-digit rises in defence spending and a steady hacking campaign which the Pentagon says can be traced to the Chinese government and military.
China has repeatedly rejected accusations of online attacks, and said it is committed to a peaceful rise while maintaining the right to defend itself.
The reports were "making irresponsible comments about China's legitimate and normal defence-building and hyping up the so-called idea of a China military threat", foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing.
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