National People's Congress

China will not enter an arms race: PLA general

Despite spike in defence spending, policies are focused on peaceful development he says

According to People's Liberation Army's Lieutenant-General He Lei, although China has the second largest military budget in the world, the sheer size of the PLA means that the proportional spending per soldier is far lower than other countries.
According to People's Liberation Army's Lieutenant-General He Lei, although China has the second largest military budget in the world, the sheer size of the PLA means that the proportional spending per soldier is far lower than other countries. PHOTO: REUTERS
Lim Yan Liang China Correspondent In Beijing
Updated
Mar 09, 2018, 05:28 AM
Published
Mar 09, 2018, 05:00 AM
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China will not enter an arms race with any country, least of all the United States, a top general has said.

People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Lieutenant-General He Lei told reporters yesterday that the latest spike in defence expenditure should be seen not in absolute terms but in relative proportions.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 09, 2018, with the headline China will not enter an arms race: PLA general. Subscribe

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