On July 19, the US Defense Department released after repeated postponements its 2005 report on China's military strength, which chiefly contained the following points.

First, continue to play up "China threat" theory. The report believes that China may "rise to a dominant position in security and economic exchanges with its trading partners and neighbors by relying on its military and economic strength".

Second, deliberately exaggerate China's military spending and strength, claiming that "China's 2005 actual defense expenditures may as high as 90 billion US dollars, ranking world third and Asia first". It also says that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is accelerating modernization and raising its capability of nuclear deterrence and precise strike; from a long-term view, China's military capability may pose a "threat of real effectiveness" to other Asia-Pacific countries.

Third, intentionally exaggerate the military strength gap between the mainland and Taiwan.

These "China threat" bubbles, which the US took great pains to create, burst one after another in the face of facts. One day after the release, as if responding to the alleged "threat to neighbors", the tariff-cutting scheme of the China-ASEAN free trade area started on schedule. As early as in October 2003, China signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and established with ASEAN a strategic partnership serving the purposes of peace and prosperity.

At the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held on July 5, Central Asian countries all agreed to strengthen cooperation with China in combatting terrorism, energy exploration and other fields. Moreover, a new round of the six-party talks will start on July 26 in Beijing, being another achievement China made in its mediation to promote the Asia-Pacific security and stability. So, whether China is a constructive force or a so-called "threat" in the Asia-Pacific, countries there have the say.

The "US$90-billion" military spending was even challenged by America's own think tank, the Rand Corporation. When the report was still under required revisions, Rand pointed out in a research report that the Pentagon has been "wildly exaggerating China's defense spending", with its 2003 guess 71 percent higher than Rand's highest estimate. China's military expenditure was about US$25.5 billion in 2004, while the US figure was US$455.9 billion, 17.8 times that of China or 77 times on a per capita basis. China defends a territory largely the same size as the United States with a military spending six percent that of the United States. How can China pose a threat to the US? On the contrary, it is US special military ties with Taiwan that hindered China's national reunification and security. Just as the International Herald Tribune put it, the United States has contracted "China threat" paranoia, and sometimes turned a blind eye to basic facts.

A large part of the report was devoted to elaborations on the "military strength gap" across the Taiwan Straits. It is obviously an attempt to lure Taiwan authorities into buying more US weapons, and more quickly. With all American arms producers standing behind it, the Pentagon naturally will not miss any opportunity to promote arms sales. Meanwhile, the playing up of "China threat" also serves to keep EU arms sales ban on China and oppose Israeli arms sales to China.

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger ran an article on the International Herald Tribune on June 9. He pointed out that since 2000 China's activities had been largely limited to its current territory; the assumption of unavoidable strategic clash with China is wrong and dangerous. This is a conclusion made after comprehensive analysis on Chinese culture, historical tradition and national character. Authors of "China threat" reports really should come out of their ridiculous "Cold War" mentality in the face of China who takes a road of peaceful rise.

Countries or peoples, including the United States, can make a correct judgment as long as they hold no prejudice and respect fact. The so-called "China threat" theory is but a rumor started and spread by a handful of American "hawks". The carefully fabricated military strength report is all the more filled with groundless attacks to China and gross interference in China's internal affairs. Those "paranoia" sufferers had better seek treatment to stop turning the world upside down with their "sick eyes".

This article by Xin Benjian is carried on the third page of the People's Daily, July 22, and is translated by People's Daily Online