China accused Defense Secretary Ash Carter of being "stuck in the Cold War era" following the secretary's comment last week that China is creating a "Great Wall of self-isolation," the Associated Press reported.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Carter's comment last week that China was creating a "Great Wall of self-isolation" was merely an attempt to provide cover for U.S. plans to deploy additional military forces to the Asia-Pacific region.
Carter's remarks "laid bare the stereotypical U.S. thinking and U.S. hegemony," Hua said at a daily news briefing.
"Indeed, there are some in the U.S. who live physically in the 21st century, but whose minds are stuck in the in the Cold War era," she said.
"China has no interest in any form of Cold War, nor are we interested in playing a role in a Hollywood movie written and directed by certain U.S. military officials. However, China has no fear of and will counter any actions that threaten and undermine China's sovereignty and security," Hua said.
Carter made the comment at a commencement speech last week. He also said the United States remains concerned about China's actions in the South China Sea and criticized China for restricting free trade and free internet.