China to increase military spending by 7% in 2017

China has plans to raise its defense spending by around seven percent this year.

That was announced by Fu Ying, the spokeswoman for the National People's Congress. She said the move is aimed at boosting the country’s capability to guard against outside meddling in disputes over Beijing’s territorial claims in Asian waters. She said china favors a peaceful settlement of disputes through dialog and consultation, but at the same time should safeguard is sovereignty, interests and rights. Beijing's claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea have stirred alarm in the region and prompted criticism from Washington.