China rejects Cheney’s military criticisms

The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected US Vice President Dick Cheney's criticism of the country's military buildup, saying China was an important force for world peace, Reuters reported. Responding to Cheney's observations that fast-rising military expenditure and January's anti-satellite missile test were not in accordance with Beijing's goal of a "peaceful rise", ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a press briefing that China "adheres to the road of peaceful development". He cited the country's contribution to the North Korea nuclear issue as evidence of its peaceful resolve and said that Beijing continued to press for a treaty to ban outer space weapons