China accuses US commander of using smears to seek funds from Congress

China’s defence ministry says the commander of US forces in the Pacific smeared China while seeking additional defence funding from the US Congress, in the latest accusation in a war of words accompanying rising tensions in the South China Sea.

On Thursday, ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian strongly criticised Admiral Harry Harris’ testimony before Congress, in which Harris said China was militarising the economically and strategically vital waterway and seeking “hegemony” in East Asia. China adamantly denies such accusations and says Washington and its allies are responsible for raising tensions.

“I have noted that according to media reports, Admiral Harris made his remarks while seeking additional defence budget funds from Congress,” Wu said .... http://www.scmp.com