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China ups defence budget by 15%
China is adding $9.1 billion to its military budget bringing the total outlay for 2009 to $70.2 billion. This is far ahead of India's
defence outlay of $20.6 billion for 2008-09.
Announcing the 14.9% increase in defence spending, Li Zhaoxing, the spokesman for China's parliament, said it was not aimed against any country and the is entirely for peaceful purposes. "There is no such thing as hidden military expenditure in China," Li, who was the country's foreign minister till 2007, said. China has been reporting its defence spending to the United Nations since 2007, he pointed out.
China has for long been criticised by the United States and Japan for not disclosing a lot of military spending while continuing with an extensive program of capacity building. "China's limited military powers will be solely used for the purpose of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "This will not pose a threat to any country".
Defence expenditure now accounts for 6.3% of the government's budget and 1.41% of the country's gross national product, he said. This is much less as compared to the spending in several countries. It is 4% for the US and 2% for the UK and France, he said.
The additional spending will mainly be used to meet recent increases on salaries and amenities of the armed forces, he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/China-ups-defence-budget-by-15/articleshow/4225623.cms
What they dont say is that their defense spending is actually a much higher percentage of their GDP...maybe as much as like 4-5%
China is adding $9.1 billion to its military budget bringing the total outlay for 2009 to $70.2 billion. This is far ahead of India's
defence outlay of $20.6 billion for 2008-09.
Announcing the 14.9% increase in defence spending, Li Zhaoxing, the spokesman for China's parliament, said it was not aimed against any country and the is entirely for peaceful purposes. "There is no such thing as hidden military expenditure in China," Li, who was the country's foreign minister till 2007, said. China has been reporting its defence spending to the United Nations since 2007, he pointed out.
China has for long been criticised by the United States and Japan for not disclosing a lot of military spending while continuing with an extensive program of capacity building. "China's limited military powers will be solely used for the purpose of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "This will not pose a threat to any country".
Defence expenditure now accounts for 6.3% of the government's budget and 1.41% of the country's gross national product, he said. This is much less as compared to the spending in several countries. It is 4% for the US and 2% for the UK and France, he said.
The additional spending will mainly be used to meet recent increases on salaries and amenities of the armed forces, he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/China-ups-defence-budget-by-15/articleshow/4225623.cms
What they dont say is that their defense spending is actually a much higher percentage of their GDP...maybe as much as like 4-5%