China to boost military spending

China says it will increase military spending by a "modest" 14.9% this year to 480.6bn yuan ($70.2bn; £50bn). The added money is to go to higher pay and improved counter-terrorism and disaster relief programmes, a spokesman for China's parliament said. China's military is for self-protection and does not pose a threat to any country, said spokesman Li Zhaoxing. Analysts say defence spending is higher than the official figure, but Beijing says there are no hidden outlays. The figure was released ahead of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's parliament, which begins on Thursday. "The increased part of the budget is mainly used to raise salaries for soldiers as well as spending on military 'informatisation', counter-terrorism and internal security," Mr Li told a news conference in Beijing. China wanted to protect the "sovereignty and integrity of Chinese territory and would not threaten any country". The military's share of the total budget was down from last year, at 6.3%, he said. Mr Li described the increase as modest. It marks the 19th double-digit boost in defence spending in the last 20 years, said Associated Press news agency.