(Reuters) - China's stealth fighter test flight had no connection to Defense Secretary Robert Gates's visit, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.

"China's defense policy is defensive and not directed at any other country," Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai told reporters during a press conference ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.

Cui was citing Tuesday's statement from China's Ministry of Defense.

The comments came a day after China confirmed a maiden test-flight of its J-20 fighter jet prototype during Gates's visit, which is aimed at defusing military tensions.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley, Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Ken Wills)