Beijing says don’t ‘hype up the so-called China threat narrative’ after Australian criticism

Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning at a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Monday: ‘We do not pose any challenge to any country.’ Photograph: Andy Wong/AP

The Chinese government has urged countries not to “hype up the so-called China threat narrative” after a major Australian defence review criticised its activities in the South China Sea.

The Australian government’s defence strategic review, released on Monday, labelled the intense competition between China and the United States as “the defining feature of our region and our time”.