China hikes defence spending

China will raise defence spending "around seven percent" this year as it guards against "outside meddling" in its disputed regional territorial claims, a top official said yesterday, in an apparent reference to Washington.

Just days after US President Donald Trump outlined plans to raise American military spending by around 10 percent, a spokeswoman for China's parliament told reporters that future Chinese expenditures will depend on US actions in the region. "We call for a peaceful settlement through dialogue and consultation. At the same time we need the ability to safeguard our sovereignty and interests and rights," spokeswoman Fu Ying told a press conference.