A senior foreign ministry official on Thursday said China had the "confidence to meet the fight head-on" against actions that harm China's national interests.

The comments came during a briefing on the future of Chinese diplomacy, ahead of the 20th Party Congress in mid-October.

"Our diplomatic fight is aimed at words and deeds that harm China's national interests and dignity," said Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.

"The era of the Chinese nation being trampled by others is long gone, and no force can stop China's development and progress," he added.

The comments come amid strained ties between China and the United States. (AP)