China to boost defence spending by 7 percent

China will raise its defence spending by about 7 percent this year.

The announcement comes just days after President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent splurge in US defence spending.

While defending China’s military build- up has rattled nerves around the region, spokesperson for China’s parliament, Fu Ying, said on Saturday, the country’s defence spending accounts for about 1.3 percent of GDP.

She added,” Look at the past decade or so, there have been so many conflicts, even wars, around the world resulting in serious, large numbers of casualties and loss of property, so many refugees destitutes and homeless. Which one has China caused? China has never brought any harm to any countries.”

The announcement was made ahead of the annual National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing this weekend.

Though analysts argue that the real figure could be much higher, the actual number will be released when China’s largely rubber stamp parliament begins its session on Sunday.