Military spending boost intended to secure uncertain frontiers

Li Zhaoxing, the spokesman for this year's National People's Congress (NPC)， said Sunday that China will increase its defense spending by 11.2 percent in 2012. This attracts wide attention both at home and abroad.

I regard the increase in military expense as necessary and even vital. I think the increase will mainly be spent on the treatment of military personnel, the construction of military information systems and the replacement of out-of-date weaponry and equipment. Considering the huge cost of all these, the increase this time might not be enough to fill the gaps in military development. But it is understandable. It takes time.

China must draw lessons from the past. The great powers invaded China at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and Japan invaded China in the 1930s because China did not possess enough national strength and military power. It is natural for China to gradually increase its military power to defend itself. Only when it is strong enough can it be able to protect its national security from others' bullying.

China's deficiency in military power has caused some countries defiantly encroach our resources and even challenge our sovereignty right. China is a big country, but its military power is not that strong. Its offshore defense capability is weak.

If we are strong enough, I don't think other countries would be as bold as today in violating our territory, such as in the South China Sea.

Besides, internationally, China still faces ideological, economic and technical blockades from some major powers. And the military situation around China poses potential threats, such as in the South China Sea, Northeast Asia and on the Sino-Indian border. Some of our islands are occupied by other countries.

China's military personnel are double that of the US, but the US spends six times as much on the military as China. US military spending is the largest in the world and makes up almost half of total global military spending. China just raises its military spending to meet its actual needs and situation, but attracts so much skepticism.

There is no reason to question the transparency of China's military expense, since it publishes not only the numbers but how the money is spent.

Some who question China don't really understand China, both the history and the threats and the security dilemmas China is facing in reality. And some hold a narrow view of China's military spending, equaling increase of its military spending to a desire for expansion.

Even though China has been explaining for decades, many foreigners still try to understand China through their own media, which usually exaggerates the negative side of China and causes misunderstandings. Of course, there is also malicious exaggeration of China's military spending for their own good.