China Eyes Stronger Military Amid Growing Threats
Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer Beijing, China (AHN)-China's ruling Communist party says China needs stronger military forces as it faces growing instability and threats to national security. China's official News Service reports an essay in the latest issue of Qiushi, or Seek Truth, says China must strengthen its military to guard a peaceful international setting for economic growth. The essay says, "Destabilizing and uncertain factors are increasing and having a major impact on China's security environment," adding that, "History demonstrates that one cannot rely on others granting peace, and only building a strong military and firm national defense can provide a reliable security barrier." The essay did not specify the threats calling for stronger defense, but claims that Western foes did not want to see a strong China, saying, "Hostile Western forces do not want to see a strong socialist China emerge in the east, and they are constantly cooking up vain attempts to hold in check and contain China's development." Beijing's relations with Washington are strained by mutual mistrust, even as the two countries seek to cooperate over curtailing North Korea's nuclear weapons program and defusing other regional disputes. China's 2.3-million-strong People's Liberation Army is the world's largest standing force and Beijing has said its defense budget will rise 14.7 percent to 283.8 billion yuan ($35.5 billi |
