China defence budget to rise 10.7 per cent in 2013; slightly slower pace of increase
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
BEIJING (AFP) - China announced a further double-digit rise in its defence budget on Tuesday, as Beijing remains embroiled in a series of territorial disputes with its neighbours.
"China plans to raise its defence budget by 10.7 per cent to 720.2 billion yuan (S$144 billion) in 2013, according to a government report to be reviewed by the National People's Congress (NPC), the Chinese parliament.
The pace of the increase represents a slight slowdown from the 11.2 per cent figure announced in 2012 and 12.7 per cent the year before, but is part of a trend of substantial rises that have come alongside strong economic growth.
China's military spending has triggered concern across Asia and in Washington, with experts saying the totals actually spent are substantially higher than those publicly announced.
