BEIJING, April 30 -- China on Thursday voiced its concern about new U.S.-Japan defense guidelines.

"We are very concerned about the new U.S.-Japan defense cooperation guidelines and high-ranking officials' comments on China," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng told a monthly press briefing.

Geng's comments came days after the United States and Japan issued new guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation following their foreign and defense ministers' meeting in New York.

The new guidelines eliminate current geographic limits on activities by Japanese forces.

Washington has reiterated its position that the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea fall under Japanese administration and are within the scope of the 1952 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

"All parties should pay much attention to the impact of a stronger U.S.-Japan military alliance and the effect expansion of their defense cooperation to include the whole world will have on the world peace and regional stability," Geng said, stressing that a military alliance is outdated and goes against the world theme of peace, development, cooperation and common prosperity.

"The Japan-U.S. alliance is a bilateral arrangement made under special historical conditions. It should not go beyond its bilateral scope or undermine third parties' interests," Geng said.

"Any attempt to improve military capacity by means of military alliance, contain the development of other countries and seek its own interests will doom to fail," Geng said.

China has always maintained the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and resolute protection of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Geng said.

"We oppose any country from beyond the region interfering in disputes concerning territorial sovereignty and maritime rights between China and neighboring countries. No one should underestimate our determination and capability to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests," Geng said.