China on Monday said an accusation against it in a strategic defense guidance released by the U.S. Department of Defense is "groundless and untrustworthy."

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a press conference, adding that China's strategic intent is clear, open and transparent.

The U.S. on Thursday unveiled a revised national defense strategy, vowing to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region despite fiscal constraints.

The document says China needs to clarify its strategic intent as its military power grows.

"China's national defense modernization serves the objective requirements of its national security and development, and it is a positive factor in maintaining regional peace and stability," Liu said, adding that the modernization will not pose any threat to any country.

China follows a path of peaceful development, adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and pursues a defense policy which is defensive in nature, Liu said.

"The accusation against China in this document is groundless and untrustworthy," Liu said, noting China will study the document in depth.

Maintaining peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region is in line with the interests of all countries in this region, Liu said.

"We hope the U.S. side will play a more constructive role in this regard," he added.

Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng also described the accusation as "groundless" in a written statement issued on Monday.

China will closely monitor the influence posed by the shift of U.S. defense strategy to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, he said.

"It is widely known that China's strategic intent is constant and clear. China's peaceful development is an opportunity rather than a challenge for the international community, including the United States," he said in the statement.

Peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region has historical momentum, while development and prosperity are the common aspiration of all the people, Geng said.

"We hope that the U.S. side will follow the trend, evaluate China and China's armed forces with an objective and reasonable attitude," he said, urging the U.S. side to be careful about their words and actions.

He also called on the U.S. side to do something good for the development of bilateral relations between the two countries and military forces, as well as for the regional peace and stability.

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