Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

Editor's note: China's Army Day falls on Aug 1 annually, commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1927. To mark this year's Army Day, we focus on efforts to make the military more transparent. Although the country has taken measures, including inviting foreign correspondents to Ministry of National Defense press conferences, opening a military academy to foreign media, participating in more joint drills with other countries including the US and putting forward spokesmen for the military, there are still voices critical for it not being transparent enough.

Pros

Defense Ministry: Beijing committed to transparency

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

Responding to concerns that China is not telling the whole truth when it comes to defense spending, a figure that this year will rise by 12.2% to 808.2 billion yuan ($130 billion), Defense Ministry spokesman said Beijing was committed to transparency and explaining itself to the outside world.

Hagel's carrier visit shows China's openness

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?
The United States' campaign to encourage China to be more open about its military growth and intentions got a symbolic boost Monday with a tour for Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel of the country's first aircraft carrier.

Participation in drills to help increase transparency

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent? The commander of the US Pacific Fleet said China's first-time participation in the world's largest maritime exercises in Hawaii will help Beijing and other nations work together in a crisis.

Criticism of Chinese military transparency refuted

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

China's military is more open and transparent than that of Japan, Qian Lihua, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who used to head the Foreign Affairs Office under the Ministry of National Defense, said during the annual two sessions on March 6.

Cons

US: China lacks openness on military modernization

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

Despite the information available and China's regular white paper on defense, many uncertainties remain about the country's openness on military modernization, a US defense official said.

US, Japan question Chinese military spending

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

The US Pentagon said estimating Chinese spending can be difficult, in part because of "poor accounting transparency", while Japan said China's lack of clarity in its defence policy and spending was a global concern.

China fails in attempt to show military transparency

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

If the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is serious about its transparency, it will have to do more than allow US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to tour its symbolic aircraft carrier.

Why isn't China's military more transparent?

Army Day Special: Chinese military becoming more transparent?

One of the often heard complaints against China's military modernization is that it lacks openness and transparency. An article noted some possible reasons for China's unwillingness to increase military transparency.