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BEIJING : A strong military is central to China's modernisation, Premier Wen Jiabao was set to say in a speech Wednesday, the day after Beijing announced defence spending would jump 17.6 percent this year.
"We must balance economic development and national defence development to make China prosperous and the armed forces strong as we carry out modernisation," he was to tell parliament, according to a text of his speech.
"Our aim is to enable the army to fully carry out its historic mission in the new stage in the new century," he said, according to the text that was given to reporters.
He said improving the military would "enhance its ability to respond to security threats and accomplish a diverse array of military tasks, staunchly protect China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."
Wen began delivering his lengthy speech shortly after the annual session of the National People's Congress opened at 9:00 am (0100 GMT).
China announced Tuesday its defence spending would rise 17.6 percent this year but insisted the rise was moderate, as the United States expressed concern over Beijing's growing military muscle.
Military spending in 2008 will reach 417.8 billion yuan (US$57.2 billion at the end-2007 exchange rate), a spokesman for China's parliament told reporters.
The release of the budget figures came after the Pentagon published a report that expressed concern about China's growing military might and said a lack of transparency from Beijing posed risks to regional and international stability. - AFP/ch
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