|
|
Article: China says military spending to rise 12.6 percent this year
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- March 4, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightProvided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press Writer
AP Worldstream
03-04-2005
Dateline: BEIJING
China on Friday announced a 12.6 percent increase in military spending, but tried to calm fears that an anti-secession bill set for approval after its parliament opens its annual session this weekend would prompt an attack on rival Taiwan.
The rise in military spending adds to a series of double-digit annual increases as Beijing modernizes its forces to back up threats to invade Taiwan, which the communist mainland claims as its territory.
The lead-up to Saturday's opening of the National People's Congress has been dominated by rumblings over a proposed anti-secession law aimed at Taiwan. The two sides ...