BEIJING – China’s defense ministry lashed out at the United States on Thursday, a week after their top military officials resumed high-level talks, criticizing its continued meddling in the Asia Pacific region and saying it maintained a “Cold War” mindset. ADVERTISEMENTBut a Chinese defense ministry spokesperson took a more hawkish tone at the year’s last regular press conference. “We firmly oppose any country having official and military contact with Taiwan in any form. Taiwan’s defense ministry said this week it was not seeing any signs of large-scale Chinese military activity before the elections but was keeping close watch on China. This week a Philippine military spokesperson rebutted China’s accusation that his country was provoking conflict in the region.
