China to improve its defense capacity - premier
By Zhao Huanxin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-03-05 14:16

China will improve its national defense and ensure the nation's safety as it pursues prosperity and stability, Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Wednesday.

"Improving the military is part of the strategic task of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics," Wen said in his "state of the nation" address to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

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China must balance economic development and improvement of its military as the country modernizes, he said at the opening of the annual legislative session.

"Our aim is to enable the army to carry out its mission, on a new stage in a new century, enhance its ability to respond to security threats and accomplish a diverse array of military tasks that will protect China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," he told nearly 3,000 deputies.

Improving the military is part and parcel of building a prosperous society, Wen said, adding improvement of the People's Liberation Army would enhance its ability to enforce the law, respond to emergencies, combat terrorism and safeguard stability.

The two-week session of the top legislature is an opportunity for lawmakers to debate and endorse legislation and national policies.

Parliamentary spokesman Jiang Enzhu said Tuesday China's defense budget was projected to grow 17.6 percent in 2008.

The planned defense budget for 2008 is 417.8 billion yuan ($58.7 billion), a rise of 62.3 billion yuan from last year, Jiang informed journalists at a press conference in Beijing.