China's Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. Republican Party on Thursday to halt "groundless accusations" against Beijing in its party platform, which takes aim at China for its military build-up and "preposterous" claims in the South China Sea.

In a statement issued via the official Xinhua News Agency, the Foreign Ministry said the party's platform, adopted Monday at the Republican National Convention, amounted to interference in China's domestic affairs.

"We hope relevant parties stop their groundless accusations against China and interference in China's domestic affairs and contribute more to bilateral trust and cooperation," ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, adding that he hoped the U.S. would view China's development "in an objective and rational manner and correctly understand issues" involving bilateral ties.