China slams US defense strategy with Asian slant

China has slammed as "groundless and untrustworthy" the United States' new defense strategy that says China's strategic intentions are unclear. The strategy unveiled Thursday intends to assert America's position in the Asia-Pacific region. The document says the growth of China's military power must be accompanied by greater clarity of its strategic intentions to avoid causing friction in the region. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Monday: "China's strategic intent is clear, open and transparent." He says China is committed to peaceful development and a "defensive" policy. Liu says China's defense modernization plays an active role in maintaining regional peace and security and "will not pose any threat to any country."