China’s Ministry of Defense released a defense paper Tuesday claiming that the U.S. military’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region creates tension, according to the New York Times:
Strongly alluding to the Obama administration’s policy to "pivot" toward a greater focus on the Asia-Pacific region, the paper said, "Some country has strengthened its Asia-Pacific military alliances, expanded its military presence in the region, and frequently makes the situation tenser." Thus, China has an "arduous task to safeguard its national unification, territorial integrity and development interests."
Over all, the paper suggested that China should be satisfied with its strategic position and offered a congratulatory note, saying that China "has seized and made the most of this important period of strategic opportunities for its development, and its modernization achievements have captured world attention." In particular, it singled out a better situation with Taiwan, saying, "Cross-straits relations are sustaining a momentum of peaceful development."
