China – Beijing: This year China increases its military spending by a "modest 14.9% to $70.2bn.China’s parliament spokesman said for improved counter-terrorism and disaster relief programs china spent the added money.
Li Zhaoxing the spokesman said China’s military is for self-protection and does not pose a threat to any country. The analysts say the Chinese defence spending is higher than the official figure, but the Chinese government object this and says there are no hidden outlays.
On Thursday China’s parliament said the figure was released ahead of the annual session of the National People’s Congress.
Mr. Li Zhaoxing said a news conference in Beijing "The increased part of the budget is mainly used to raise salaries for soldiers as well as spending on military ‘informatisation’, counter-terrorism and internal security,"
Li added China wanted to protect the "sovereignty and integrity of Chinese territory and would not threaten any country". He added the military’s share of the total budget was down from last year, at 6.3%. Mr Li described the increase as modest.
It marks the 19th double-digit boost in defence spending in the last 20 years. Previous increases in defence spending have been greeted by alarm from China’s neighbours and the US, who have voiced concerns over Beijing’s modernisation of its military.
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