Wu Qian File photo; CFP

China's national defense expenditure is open, transparent, and its spending is reasonable and appropriate, Wu Qian, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police delegation to the National People's Congress  (NPC) said on Saturday. 

"China's limited national defense expenditure is entirely necessary for safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, and for maintaining world peace and stability," Wu said.

In 2024, China's national defense expenditure in the general public budget has been set at 1.69 trillion yuan ($238.14 billion), an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous year, according to Wu. 

He said compared with that of military powers such as the US, China's defense expenditure is relatively low in terms of either its proportion to GDP, proportion to national fiscal expenditure, or per capita national defense expenditure, or per service-person national defense expenditure.

Appropriate and stable growth in defense spending will help the Chinese military implement global security initiatives, more effectively carry out international peacekeeping, maritime escorts, humanitarian rescue operations, and make a greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind, according to Wu. 

Based on the National Defense Law, Budget Law and other laws and regulations, the annual national defense expenditure budget has been in the government budget draft, which is reviewed and approved by the National People's Congress, and the total national defense expenditure budget is publicly disclosed, Wu added.  

China actively participates in the United Nations military expenditure transparency system, submitting a report on military spending for the previous fiscal year to the United Nations every year since 2008, he said. 

Wu stressed that China firmly pursues a defensive national defense policy, acting as  a stabilizer in a turbulent world, a positive force in international security, and an active participant in maintaining peace. 

At the Saturday's meeting, Wu was also asked about the recent US arms sales to Taiwan. Wu stressed that Taiwan is a part of China. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and does not allow any foreign interference, he said, urging the US to stop sending any wrong signals to the separatist forces in the island. 

The mainland is willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and effort, but we will never leave any room for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, Wu stressed. 

The People's Liberation Army will continue to strengthen training and preparations for war, resolutely fighting against separatism, Wu noted. 

In his remarks, Wu also slammed the DPP authorities for being the root cause of the continued tension and turmoil in the Taiwan Straits. The DPP authorities must bear all the consequences that arise from their actions, he noted.

Global Times