China's military spending remains low, especially compared with that of the big powers, in both proportion of GDP (gross domestic product) and total fiscal expenditure.
General Liao Xi Long, a member of the Central Military Commission and minister of the General Logistics Department, made this statement during an interview with Xinhua News.
China's national defense expenditure reached 409.94 billion Yuan in 2008. It increased by 17.7% over last year, making up 6.9% of national fiscal expenditures.
The proportion has dropped slightly over the years, according to the "Report on the 2007 Implementation of the Central and Local Government Budget and the 2008 Central and Local Government Budget Draft Plan" which was submitted by the State Council to the first session of the 11th National People's Conference for discussion.
Gen. Liao said the Chinese government has always coordinated the development of national defense with the economy. Based on steady and rapid economic development and rapidly increasing fiscal revenue in recent years, the Chinese government has increased national defense spending accordingly, making an effort to adapt its national defense infrastructure to the missions and tasks the country takes on.
In 2007, the United States' national defense expenditure accounted for 4.6% of its GDP. The national defense expenditures of Britain, France, Russia and India are also above 2%. In contrast, China's national defense expenditure is significantly lower, accounting for only 1.4% of the country's GDP.
By People's Daily Online
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