According to the BBC, China has again
increased its budget for defence by 12.7% to 601.1bn yuan ($91.5bn; £56.2bn). Here is a graph plotting those defence expenditure figures that the PRC is happy to publish:
Amazingly, although the article cites the fears of China's neighbours (Japan and Philippines) it never once mentions Taiwan. It records the Chinese government's insistance that they are following a path of 'peaceful development' though:
"Chinese parliamentary spokesman Li Zhaoxing said the increase was justified, and China posed no threat to anyone."
That should have been followed up immediately with "Many people in Taiwan would likely disagree with Mr Li as China has in recent years both rapidly increased the number of missiles it has pointed at the country and has encoded in its legal system a necessity to invade the island country and annex it by force if they feel that Taiwan is refusing to 'unify' with the PRC."
