China To Up Military Budget 9.6 Percent

China unveiled plans Thursday for a new military budget that calls for a 9.6 percent increase in spending "with a view to adapting to changes in the international situation."

The announcement, in a preliminary budget document at the country's legislature, raises China's military budget to 185.3 billion yuan (US $22.4 billion).

That budget, released Thursday morning, was scheduled for presentation to the National People's Congress by Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng.

It was drawn up, according to Xiang, "with a view to adapting to changes in the international situation, safeguarding national security and sovereignty and territorial integrity and raising the combat effectiveness of the armed forces in fighting wars to defend the country with the use of high technology."

China has raised its military budget consistently — in double digits for the last 13 years. This announced budget barely misses the double-digit marker and is significantly smaller than last year's increase, though actual spending for the entire People's Liberation Army is believed to be much more.

A good portion of that military budget will go to covering personnel costs. Many of China's soldiers are poorly paid, and officers as high as generals at last year's congress expressed dissatisfaction at the funding given their operation.

China is embroiled in two immediate military problems at the moment, but neither have directly involved its own forces. The United States is considering military action against Iraq, a situation in which China has a direct role as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council; and U.S.-North Korea tensions are creating tension at China's northeastern border, which it shares with the North.

China's budget is being presented a day after officials identified poverty as the top concern facing the incoming leadership lineup. While Vice President Hu Jintao is almost certain to be named president, he currently oversees no military operations. Outgoing President Jiang Zemin in November, while stepping down as Communist Party leader, retained command of the powerful party commission that commands the military.

Military spending, as reported, grew by 17.6 percent in China last year.

China's leaders have bought key military support by financing efforts to build a more modern, capable army — an aim that intensified after leaders saw how effective high-tech warfare was during the 1991 Gulf War and with NATO action in Kosovo.

China's true military spending may be as much as four times the official figure, which is thought not to include weapons purchases, research and development and other costs, Pentagon estimates suggest. Experts put the figure at US $35 billion to US $55 billion.