From the BBC:
China’s military power is keeping pace with its growing economic dominance
China is to increase its defence budget in 2011, amid fears in the region that its military might is growing.
Spending will increase by 12.7% to 601.1bn yuan ($91.5bn; £56.2bn) up from 532.1bn yuan last year, officials said.
Many analysts say China’s actual spending on defence is far higher than the government reports.
…
Beijing insists that its military modernisation programme is entirely peaceful but the latest hike in defence spending to boost the 2.3m-strong People’s Liberation Army is likely to further stir regional unease.
China is developing stealth fighters and advanced missile systems, and also plans to launch its first aircraft carrier.
China’s neighbours say that Beijing is becoming more assertive as its military develops.
Read more at the BBC.
