Rice voices concern over China's military might

Meanwhile, Chinese President Hu Jintao sought to reassure visiting President George W. Bush that China's rise would be peaceful.

"There's a question of intent," Rice told reporters, referring to the modernization of the 2.5-million-strong People's Liberation Army -- the world's biggest fighting force.

China's assertion that its intention was peaceful was "a very good thing," Rice said.

"But obviously both in terms of our own military presence and forces, we expect that we will be able to keep a balance in this region," she said without elaborating.

Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has vowed to attack the self-ruled democratic island of 23 million if it formally declares independence.

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but remains the island's main arms supplier and trading partner.

When he first came to office Bush vowed to do whatever it took to help Taiwan defend itself.

Hu said he had briefed Bush about China's unswerving commitment to a role of peaceful development.