China invokes 'peace' to defend hike in its defence spending

BEIJING: Amid speculation over another big hike in its defence budget, China today defended its high military spending already about $ 117.7 billion, saying "peace can only be preserved with strength".

"Based on our history and experience, we believe that peace can only be maintained by strength," Fu Ying, spokesperson of China's parliament, told reporters responding to a question over China's growing military power sparking concerns in the neighbourhood.

China's military spending has long been cited as a cause for concern in western countries. The 2.3 million-strong People's Liberation Army is the world's largest.

"We have heard such concerns...Indeed, certain countries have been selling the idea of China as a major threat."

Last year, China raised its defence budget by 10.7 per cent to 720.2 billion yuan ($ 117.7 billion). It also hiked its internal security budget which is few billion dollars over the defence budget.

From India's point of view, China's defence spending is far higher than its $ 36 billion allocated during the interim budget last month.

China is expected continue the increase of defence spending this eyar in view of deepening differences with Japan over the disputed islands.

Chinese defence analysts said Beijing which is modernising its forces, formulates its defence budget to relatively match US defence spending amounting to $ 700 billion.

Fu was widely expected to announce this year's defence budget but she did not reveal the figures at her press conference.

Observers said the new defence figures may be mentioned in the work report to be presented by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to the National People's Congress.