China's defence ministry said Thursday Japan's exaggeration of China's military power hurts bilateral ties.

Defense Ministry spokesman Huang Xueping made the remarks after a report said Japanese leaders may revise the country's defence policies to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and confront China's increased military strength.

Japan-U.S. military cooperation should not target a third party, Huang added.

"China-Japan defense relations have developed rapidly. But irrespective of why the Japanese leaders made the comments, they have hurt the trust and sentiment that has built up," Huang said.

Calling the Japan-U.S. military alliance an "outcome of history," Huang urged the two countries to confine their military arrangements to a bilateral framework and to not target a third party.

"We hope the Japanese side will do more to promote the sound development of China-Japan relations. Japan's defense measures should be conducive to regional peace and stability," he said.