WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Defense Department on Monday released a delayed annual report on China's military, with a slight change to the title indicating increased coverage of security developments in addition to its assessment of China's military power.
The report routinely overlooks China's peaceful defense policy and ever increasing military openness, saying it sees only "modest improvements in the transparency of China's military and security affairs," and demanding more information.
The report, which came after a delay of about five months, also alleges "uncertainties" remain as it tries to assess China's military intentions.
"The limited transparency in China's military and security affairs enhances uncertainty and increases the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation," says the report.
The report, submitted to the Congress by the Pentagon annually pursuant to U.S. law since 2000, has drawn protest from China over its interfering nature, distortion of facts, and baseless speculations.
China has been submitting annual reports to the United Nations on its military expenditure since 2007.
It has also invited military representatives from many countries to observe its war games, conducted joint military exercises with its neighbors and countries including the United States.
The Washington Post says the 83-page report, which was originally due out by early March, is more ambitious in scope as it includes a discussion of the Pentagon's view of China's broader strategy and U.S. officials' visions for relations with China.
The newspaper quoted U.S. analyst David Finkelstein as saying that the report contains the message of Washington wanting to expand military exchanges.
