China's military strength is needed by the country and it is also good for the world, according to a spokesperson for China's top legislature.
"Peace requires strength to safeguard. A China with strong national defense capabilities can better defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests, more effectively fulfill its international responsibilities as a major country, and better maintain global peace and stability," Lou Qinjian, spokesman for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress, told a news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.
He made the remarks when responding to a question on China's defense budget for fiscal year 2025.
Lou said the defense budget is part of China's overall national budget and the specific figure will be announced after the opening of the NPC's annual gathering on Wednesday.
"However, I can share with you that China's defense budget has maintained single-digit growth for nine consecutive years since 2016. The proportion of defense spending to our GDP has remained below 1.5 percent for many years, lower than the world average," said the spokesman.
Lou said the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence not only form the cornerstone of China's independent foreign policy of peace, they have also evolved into open, inclusive and universally applicable fundamental norms of international relations.
"China stands ready to work with all nations to continue upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and make new, greater contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development," Lou said.
