From The Washington Times:
On March 4, China’s National People’s Congress announced it would increase the country’s military budget 17.8 percent in 2007 to a total of $45 billion. Though this was the biggest single annual increase in China’s military spending, the Chinese government reassured the world this spending hike was normal and need not worry anyone.
But the evidence suggests China’s intent is to challenge the U.S. as a military superpower. Within a decade, perhaps much sooner, China will be America’s only global competitor for military and strategic influence. National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell told the Senate Feb. 27 that the Chinese are “building their military, in my view, to reach some state of parity with the United States.” [Full Text]
