China warns US on military strategy

China’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Monday warning the US to be “careful in its words and actions” after announcing a new military strategy for Asia last week, Reuters reported. The statement from ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng is Beijing’s fullest official reaction yet, following several commentaries published in state media over the weekend. “We hope that the United States will flow with the tide of the era, and deal with China and the Chinese military in an objective and rational way, will be careful in its words and actions, and do more that is beneficial to the development of relations between the two countries and their militaries,” Geng said in the statement. The US strategy, announced by president Barack Obama, would maintain bases in Japan and South Korea, and establish a new presence in Australia. Chinese officials have restrained from high-pitched criticism of the move, as China prepares for a leadership transition and president Obama faces re-election.