China says defense budget to rise by about 7 percent in 2017
China will raise its defense budget by about 7 percent this year, a government spokeswoman said Saturday, continuing a trend of lowered growth amid a slowing economy.
Total defense spending would account for about 1.3 percent of projected gross domestic project in 2017, said Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the legislature. She was speaking at a news conference on the eve of the opening of the body's annual session.
Fu reiterated China's contention that its military was purely for defense and constituted a force for stability in Asia.
