Chinese Foreign Ministry asked the US to abandon "cold war mentality" on Monday, in response to the newly released US National Defense Strategy.

The Pentagon unveiled its new strategy on Friday, shifting its focus for the first time in over a decade from fighting terror to preparing for what it believes is a threat from China and Russia.

"The report of the US is inherently erroneous as it is full of Cold War mentality and outmoded notions of a 'zero-sum' game. It deliberately distorted China's national defense and foreign policies and exaggerated strategic competition in powers," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying.

Hua stressed that China has always followed the path of peaceful development and has always pursued a defensive national defense policy. It remains a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the existing international order, which is evident for the entire international community.

"We hope that the US will abandon a Cold War mentality, correctly view the current world and Sino-US Relations, and stop distorting China's strategic intentions. Instead, it should join hands with China, respect each other, focus on cooperation, manage and control differences and uphold the long-term, sound and steady growth of Sino-US relations. It is the right choice that accords with the interests of both China and the US and other countries in the world," Hua said.

The statement comes a day after the Chinese Defense Ministry stated that the US strategy is full of false arguments on confrontations between countries.