Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang

General Rawat last week said that India needed to check China's growing assertiveness in South Asia

Beijing: China on Monday expressed anger over India's Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks, saying such "unconstructive" comments would hurt peace and tranquility in the border area.

General Rawat last week said India needed to shift its military focus from its western border with Pakistan to its northern border with China. He also said that if China was strong, India was not weak either.

"During the past one year, relations between China and India witnessed some twists and turns," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.

Mr Lu pointed out that in September, the leaders of India and China reached some important consensus on properly handling the differences and promote China-India relations.

"Recently, two sides enhanced dialogue on consultations, and bilateral relations have shown sound momentum of improvement and development.

"Under such background, the unconstructive remarks by the Indian senior officials not only go against the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and do not conform to the efforts made by the two sides to improve and develop bilateral relations.

"The aim is to enhance strategic mutual trust and create enabling atmosphere for strategic communication. Recently the bilateral relations have shown positive momentum.

"On such background, the official mentioned by you made such kind of remarks that go against the consensus of the states and do not conform to the general trend of improvement of bilateral relations. We believe such kinds of remarks are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas," the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.