China unveils fresh military boost

BEIJING: China TOday extended its spending spree on the world's largest armed forces, unveiling a 12.2% increase in the 2014 defence budget and provoking fresh concern in rival Japan.
Beijing has for years been raising spending on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in double-digit steps, reflecting its military ambitions as it asserts its new-found economic might and its claims in a series of territorial disputes with Tokyo and others.
The spending has raised eyebrows in the region and Washington.
"We will resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests," Premier Li Keqiang said at the opening of the Communist Party-controlled National People's Congress (NPC).
Beijing will "place war preparations on a regular footing" and "build China into a maritime power", he added.
"We will safeguard the victory of WWII and the post-war international order, and will not allow anyone to reverse the course of history," Li said – a phrase China often uses in relation to Japan.
China has been expanding its bluewater capabilities in recent years, with its first aircraft carrier going into service in September 2012.
Beijing and Tokyo's vessels and aircraft regularly shadow each other near disputed East China Sea islands called Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese, raising fears of a clash.
A budget report prepared for the NPC meeting said that "the appropriation for national defence is 808.23 billion yuan (RM431 billion), up 12.2%".
Shortly after the announcement Japan expressed concern about Beijing's openness about the PLA – which includes the army, navy and air force.
"The transparency of China's defence policy and military capacity, or lack thereof, has become a matter of concern for the international community, including Japan," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.
This year's stated increase follows rises of 10.7% in 2013, 11.2% in 2012 and 12.7% in 2011.
Analysts believe China's actual military spending is significantly higher than publicised, with the Pentagon estimating it at between US$135 billion and US$215 billion in 2012.
The United States itself remains far ahead as the global leader in defence spending, with Washington approving a 2014 budget of US$633 billion in December. – AFP