Nothing untoward about China's military budget

By announcing that the country's defense budget is projected to grow by 7.5 percent this year, China has maintained a single digit growth in its military spending for four consecutive years. Such a growth pace is compatible with the country's comprehensive national strength and underscores its commitment to safeguarding both its national security and world peace.

Lower than last year's 8.1 percent, the growth in military spending revealed by a draft budget report to be submitted to the annual session of the country's top legislature that opened on Tuesday marks a reasonable and moderate rise. It reflects China's voluntary choice to slow the pace of its military spending after five years' double-digit growth between 2011 and 2015.

Any country with the sheer size of China and a growing demand to defend its expanding interests overseas would opt to open up the State coffers to cultivate stronger military capabilities suitable to the times.