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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'
The US has expressed concern at the level of Chinese military spending and called for greater transparency in Beijing's budget. Beijing regards the island as Chinese territory and has vowed to use force if Taiwan were to declare independence.
HAVE YOUR SAY China needs to base its new power on cooperation with all before it becomes confrontational Abdelilah Boukili, Marrakesh, Morocco class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5663&edition=2&ttl=20070227110237">Send us your comments 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. Taiwanese officials said that the real size of China's military spending was likely to be several times larger that the officials state figure.
China hit back with a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing accusing the US of acting like a nosy neighbour. 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."