China pledged more support to its military on Sunday including strengthening maritime and air defences amid efforts to safeguard sovereignty, but unusually did not give spending figures for 2017 despite promises of transparency.
BEIJING: China pledged more support to its military on Sunday including strengthening maritime and air defences amid efforts to safeguard sovereignty, but unusually did not give spending figures for 2017 despite promises of transparency.
Parliament’s spokeswoman said on Saturday defence spending for this year would rise about 7 percent, though provided no other details.
However, the actual defence spending target for this year was not included in the country’s budget released at the opening of parliament’s annual session on Sunday, as it has been in previous years.
“We will support efforts to deepen the reform of national defence and the armed forces, with the aim of building a solid defence and strong armed forces that are commensurate with China’s international standing and are suited to our national security and development interests,” the budget report said.
It did not elaborate.
State news agency Xinhua also did not report the figure. The Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was not clear why the number was not released. China has repeatedly said its defence spending is transparent.
Last year, with the economy slowing, the defence budget recorded its lowest increase in six years, 7.
