China clarifies defense budget rise

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-10-2009 09:41

When China announced a 14.9 percent increase in its defense budget, it drew some concern from western media. An official in charge of allocations has clarified where the additional funds will go, and how the money actually figures in total spending.

Gao Qiang, director of budget commission of NPC National  Committee, said, "If we look at the increased volume,  China's defense budget rose faster than that of the US  for 2009. But given the different base level, the absolute  figure for the increase is only 9 billion dollars, while  for the US, it's 10.7 billion dollars."

China's revelations in national defense in recent years have included defense spending. Some western media calculate the bigger budget increase for 2009 is higher than that of the US.