Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 4, 2008

China Increases Military Budget
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B6F694:A6F02AD83191E1608CB74F9B2C2735D8A13B8D4F2090AB2B& Country announces
double-digit increase in military spending, issues strong warning to
Taiwan China has announced a double-digit increase in military
spending and has issued a strong warning to Taiwan.  Jamila Trindle
reports from Beijing.







Soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army's (PLA) 196th infantry
brigade (file photo)China has announced plans to increase military
spending by almost 18 percent, to more than $58 billion dollars for
2008.   National People's Congress spokesman Jiang Enzhu says most of
the increase will cover higher prices and rising salaries. 

"China's military capability is solely for the purpose of safeguarding
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it will not
pose a threat to any country," he said.

Jiang also warned Taiwan against holding a referendum on membership in
the United Nations, saying Beijing sees that as a possible step toward
independence. 


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