Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian was responding to a question at a press briefing on whether China might exploit a recent easing of tensions with India over disputed border areas to keep ties between the US and India from deepening.

“China views its ties with India from a strategic and long-term perspective,” Lin said, adding that the border issue was a matter between China and India and “we object to any country passing judgment about this issue”.

The Pentagon said in a report on Tuesday that China “probably seeks to capitalise on decreased tension … to stabilise bilateral relations and prevent the deepening of US-India ties”.