U.S. is frightened of Chinese military power

The United States is concerned about growing China’s strength. A report from Pentagon says, China could pose a threat to U.S. and other forces in the Asia-Pacific region. China objects the report.

"Some of China's military planners are surveying the strategic landscape beyond Taiwan," the report said.

Among a number of such developments, it noted improvements in Chinese intercontinental-range missiles "capable of striking targets across the globe, including the United States."

Air and naval force improvements also appear to be geared for operations beyond the geography around Taiwan, an island less than 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the Chinese coast, it added, reports the AP.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday, before the report was released, that it would illustrate why a European arms embargo against the Chinese should be kept in place.

Kurt Campbell, a senior Asia specialist at the Pentagon during the Clinton administration, said in an interview that the report was "slightly more alarmist" than previous Pentagon assessments of China's military.

Meanwhile, China' Foreign Minister dismissed the Pentagon report on Wednesday and said its rise would be peaceful.

"China, remember, will continue to pursue a path of peaceful development," Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was quoted as saying by Reuters at a signing ceremony to establish the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Beijing.

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