China's defense expenditure at appropriate level: spokesman

China's defense expenditure has always been maintained at a reasonable and appropriate level, a Defense Ministry spokesman said here Friday.

China's annual defense expenditure has been around 1.4 percent of its GDP in recent years while the share of some major world powers is between 2 and 4 percent, Geng Yansheng, the ministry's new spokesman, said at a press conference two days ahead of the 83rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, on Aug. 1.

"We have always coordinated the national defense building with the country's economic development," Geng said.

He said China has and always will take the road of peaceful development and pursue a purely defensive national defense policy.

China will neither enter into an arms race nor militarily threaten any other country, he said.

China will neither seek hegemony nor engage in military expansion, he added.

"The fundamental task of the Chinese military is to protect the nation's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, " he said.

Currently, China's security environment is generally stable, but there are still some threats, he said.

Talking of the ongoing revolution in military affairs worldwide, Geng said the Chinese military must respond appropriately.

Geng said the Chinese military has made contributions to the maintenance of world peace and stability.

He said in recent years, the Chinese military has diligently performed its international duties, actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions, escorted merchant ships through troubled waters and participated in international humanitarian aid operations.

He said China has established military ties with over 150 countries.

The Ministry of National Defense has established a spokesperson system and a website. White papers on China's national defense policies have also been released, allowing the world to better understand the Chinese military.

Source: Xinhua