Voice from New Delhi

The Hindu: China slows growth of military spending 05/03

China on Thursday announced the smallest rise in its military spending in two decades, moved by its neighbors'' concerns on the rapid growth of its military and as a result of the financial crisis.

This is the first time in 20 years that the military spending will not show double-digit growth. Spending rose by 14.9 per cent in 2009.

NPC spokesperson Li Zhaoxin said the $78 billion figure was still "comparatively low" taking into account China's population, its vast territory and its long coastline. "China's defense expenditure in recent years accounted for about 1.4 per cent of its GDP," he said, noting that the figure was 4 per cent for the U.S., whose annual military spending still dwarfs China's, estimated at more than $500 billion.

Hindustan times: China cuts military splurge 05/03

China plans to increase the defence budget by 7.5 per cent in 2010, breaking several years of annual double-digit growth in military spending.

The announcement came after quarrels with the United States over human rights, Internet censorship, Tibet and Washington's arms sales to Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own.

The budget for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) showed Beijing was not courting confrontation, spokesman Li told a news conference a day ahead of the opening of China's annual parliament.

Press Trust Of India: Chinese govt promises steps to bridge rich-poor divide 03/03

With an increasing income gap dogging China's rapid growth, the Chinese government today promised effective measures to smoothen the redistribution of social wealth and increase the rural income.

The Chinese government report submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission at the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee said that the government expects to raise farmers' income by increasing the minimum purchasing price of farm produce offered by the state reserve.

The government will also provide subsidies for farmers to buy new farming equipment and offer more loans to rural people, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

This year more assistance will be provided to families without a bread-winner and to those who lost jobs, it said.