Beijing lays out security priorities in defence white paper

China yesterday issued its eighth defence white paper in 15 years, and warned that the country faces "multiple and complicated" security threats, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Ministry of National Defence document pledged to build a strong military "commensurate with China's international standing, and to meet the needs of its security and development interests".

It also made veiled criticism of America's so-called pivot to Asia-Pacific, implying that Washington's rebalancing of its military forces towards the region had worsened tensions.

"Some countries are strengthening their Asia-Pacific military alliances and expanding their military presence in the region, frequently making the situation there more tense," it said, without naming any state.

However, it noted that "the United States is adjusting its Asia-Pacific security strategy, and the regional landscape is undergoing profound changes".

The white paper also made a special mention of Japan, accusing it of "making trouble" over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, which are at the core of a continuing territorial dispute that has soured relations between Beijing and Tokyo.