China issues white paper on national defense
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On defense expenditure, the white paper says the increase has been kept at a reasonable and appropriate level.
China's defense expenditure mainly comprises expenses for personnel, training and maintenance, and equipment, with each accounting for roughly one third of the total.
In the past two years, the increase in the defense expenditure has been used to improve support conditions for the troops and accomplish diversified military tasks, ranging from earthquake rescue and escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.
In view of the upward trend in purchasing prices and maintenance costs, China has moderately increased the funds for high-tech weaponry and equipment and their supporting facilities.
The white paper eyed military confidence-building as an effective way to maintain national security and development, and safeguard regional peace and stability.
China is promoting the establishment of equal, mutually beneficial and effective mechanisms for military confidence-building, via strategic consultations and dialogues, border area confidence-building measures, dialogues and cooperation on maritime security, regional security cooperation and military exchanges with other countries.
China attaches importance to and takes an active part in international efforts in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, the white paper says.
The country adheres to the complete fulfillment of the UN's role in this area, and that of other related international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.
It considers that existing multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation systems should be consolidated and strengthened, that the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of all countries should be respected and accommodated, and that global strategic balance and stability should be maintained.
The white paper also reviewed the deployment of the Chinese armed forces, national defense mobilization and reserve force building, military legal system, as well as science, technology and industry for national defense.
