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Jump in Chinese defence spending | Jump in Chinese defence spending |
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China's military budget will increase by 17.8% in 2007, the spokesman for the National People's Congress has said. | China's military budget will increase by 17.8% in 2007, the spokesman for the National People's Congress has said. |
Jiang Enzhu said that military spending next year would amount to 350.92bn yuan, an increase of 52.99bn yuan. | Jiang Enzhu said that military spending next year would amount to 350.92bn yuan, an increase of 52.99bn yuan. |
The rise was announced the day before Chinese lawmakers were due start their annual parliamentary session. | The rise was announced the day before Chinese lawmakers were due start their annual parliamentary session. |
The US deputy secretary of state, in Beijing, said he sought more dialogue to better understand the intentions behind China's military build-up. | |
'Transparency' | |
"It is not so much the budget and the increases as much as it is understanding those questions better through dialogue and transparency," John Negroponte said from the Chinese capital. | |
He said he would like to see discussions intensified "so that we can have a better grasp of exactly what the Chinese have in mind." | |
Mr Jiang said the money would be used to increase wages for military personnel and to upgrade weapons, but gave no further details. | Mr Jiang said the money would be used to increase wages for military personnel and to upgrade weapons, but gave no further details. |
China says its military budget rose by 14.7% last year to $36.6bn (£18.6bn), but the US and other observers believe the actual figure may be two or three times that amount. | China says its military budget rose by 14.7% last year to $36.6bn (£18.6bn), but the US and other observers believe the actual figure may be two or three times that amount. |
Correspondents say China is seeking to modernise its huge but often poorly-equipped military forces by building or purchasing new ships, missiles and fighter planes. | Correspondents say China is seeking to modernise its huge but often poorly-equipped military forces by building or purchasing new ships, missiles and fighter planes. |
Taiwanese government officials also expressed their concern at the Chinese announcement. | |
'Nosy neighbours' | 'Nosy neighbours' |
Beijing regards the island as Chinese territory and has vowed to use force if Taiwan were to declare independence. | |
Taiwanese officials said that the real size of China's military spending was likely to be several times larger that the officials state figure. | |
They also said that there are now nearly 1,000 missiles in China pointing towards Taiwan, up from several hundred missiles just six years ago. | |
US Vice-President Dick Cheney recently said that China's military build-up and its missile test in January, in which an inactive weather satellite was destroyed, were not consistent with its stated goal of peaceful development. | |
HAVE YOUR SAY China needs to base its new power on cooperation with all before it becomes confrontational Abdelilah Boukili, Marrakesh, Morocco Send us your comments China hit back with a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing accusing the US of acting like a nosy neighbour. | |
Qin Gang said China's policies were aimed only at defence, rejecting claims of opaque spending policies. | Qin Gang said China's policies were aimed only at defence, rejecting claims of opaque spending policies. |
"What's your response if your neighbour keeps peeking into your house through a crack in the door and yelling 'Open the door, let's see what's inside'?" Mr Qin said. | "What's your response if your neighbour keeps peeking into your house through a crack in the door and yelling 'Open the door, let's see what's inside'?" Mr Qin said. |
"Will you call the police?" | "Will you call the police?" |
Mr Qin sought to allay fears over China's military intentions. | Mr Qin sought to allay fears over China's military intentions. |
"China adheres to peaceful development and advocates a harmonious society of lasting peace and common prosperity," he said. | "China adheres to peaceful development and advocates a harmonious society of lasting peace and common prosperity," he said. |
"That's what has allowed China to win trust, co-operation and friends in the world." | "That's what has allowed China to win trust, co-operation and friends in the world." |