Pentagon warning over China military build-up

In an annual report to Congress, the US Defense Department said Monday that China was ramping up investment in an array of areas including nuclear weapons, long-range missiles, submarines, aircraft carriers and cyber warfare.

"The balance of cross-Strait military forces continues to shift in the mainland's favor," the report said.

The Pentagon said China's military build-up on the Taiwan Strait has "continued unabated" despite improving political and commercial relations since the island elected Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou in 2008.

Taiwan said Tuesday it was "closely monitoring" China's arms build-up and renewed calls for the United States to sell it upgraded F16 jets and diesel submarines in the wake of the report.

"China has not given up the use of force against Taiwan, and we are closely monitoring China's military developments. We ask the public to rest assured," defense ministry spokesman Yu Sy-tue told AFP.