China defense chief says military hardware drive no threat

BEIJING, Jan 9 (Reuters) - China's
military technology lags decades behind the
world's most advanced armed forces and does
not threaten any country, the Chinese defense
minister said on Monday after talks with Defense
Secretary Robert Gates. Gates's visit from
Sunday to Wednesday comes a week before
Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to
Washington.
"The efforts that we place on the research and
development of weapons systems are by no
means targeted at any third country or any
other countries in the world, and it will by no
means threaten any other country in the world,"
Chinese Minister of Defense Liang Guanglie told
reporters after talks with Gates.
U.S. officials have noted quick advances in
China's anti-ship ballistic missile programme,
which could challenge U.S. aircraft carriers.
China may also be preparing to launch its first
aircraft carrier in 2011, faster than some
estimates, and new photos indicate it has a
prototype of a stealth fighter jet.

Source: http://us.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7090Z620110110?ca=rdt