China to strengthen defenses, but budget details excluded

by Dramelin 8:00 PM 0 comments

There were calls last week for China to announce a commensurate rise in defense spending for this year.
China has repeatedly said its defense spending is transparent.
"The defense budget figure for last year, 954.
35 billion yuan ($138.
40 billion), likely understates its investment, according to diplomats, though the number is closely watched around the region and in Washington for clues to China`s intentions.
A 7 percent rise for this year based on last year`s budget would bring the figure to 1.
02 trillion yuan, still only a quarter or so of the U.
S.
defense budget.
"As far as our development is concerned, defense spending is not enough," Wang Ning, commander the paramilitary People`s Armed Police, told reporters on the sidelines of parliament.