March 14, 2017

"If China's 7.6 percent military budget increase last year, the lowest since 2011, raised eyebrows, then the lower increase of only 7 percent announced for 2017 raised a question: Will such a low defence budget become the new normal in years to come?

The answer is probably yes. China's economy has slowed. Premier Li Keqiang anticipates GDP growth of 6.5 percent this year. For the People's Liberation Army, defence spending has to go in tandem with national economic development. This is a principle that has been upheld since former leader Deng Xiaoping told the PLA in 1985, 'The real modernization of the weaponry of the military will only be possible when the national economy has laid a sound basis for it.'"

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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2017-03/14/content_28542226.htm

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