China criticizes US as 'undermining global strategic stability'

Beijing's first defense white paper in four years takes strident position on territory

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber flies in formation with Qatari Mirage 2000 and American F-35A Lightning II fighters over Southwest Asia in May. Beijing has accused Washington of intensifying military competition among major countries. © Reuters

TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writer

July 24, 2019 17:25 JST

BEIJING -- China criticizes the U.S. as undermining global strategic stability in its new white paper on national defense, released on Wednesday.

In the paper, titled, "China's National Defense in the New Era," Beijing takes a strident position when it comes to territory and territorial waters. "The South China Sea islands and Diaoyu Islands are inalienable parts of Chinese territory," the paper says.