Military spending rise 'is moderate'

Jiang Enzhu

The country has no intention of engaging in an arms race, although its military spending inches up as a result of economic growth, a legislative official said yesterday.

The State Council, or Chinese Cabinet, has proposed that the country's 2007 defense budget be increased by 17.8 percent year-on-year. It will be deliberated and approved by the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), which opens its last session today, NPC spokesman Jiang Enzhu said.

During the session, the top legislature will also discuss and decide on drafts of the property law, the corporate income tax law, and other important issues, Jiang, also a secretary-general of the meeting, told a press conference in Beijing.