China flexes military muscle

Jul. 25 - Chinese troops gave a display of their military force and artillery power during exercises in Shandong and Sichuan province.

The exercises showcase the advances made by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in recent years in military armament.

The Chinese government announced in March that it would boost defence spending by 17.8 per cent this year, increasing spending to around 45 billion dollars. However a Pentagon report published in February estimated Chinese military spending at twice this figure.

China has come under criticism recently for its military expansion. Asia-Pacific countries have warned that China's development of new and disruptive capabilities such as anti-satellite missiles could create misunderstandings and instability in the region.

Washington says that a military build-up in China could alter the balance of power in the region and stoke conflict with Taiwan.

China has been staging a series of military drills over the past months in the run up to the Beijing Olympic Games in August. By relying on its own security forces, China believes it can ensure security for the games for a fraction of the $1.8 billion that Athens paid in 2004.