Alarmed by the sudden Chinese arms buildup, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said the US will counter it by stepping up investments in a range of weapons, jet fighters and technology even as he warned Beijing not to underestimate America's resilience.

The Chinese development of its first radar-evading fighter jet, as well as an antiship ballistic missile that could hit American aircraft carriers, had persuaded him to make improvements in American weaponry a priority, Gates said on the eve of his visit to Beijing.

"They clearly have potential to put some of our capabilities at risk, and we have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programmes," Gates was quoted as saying by New York Times.