PLA to be a leaner, meaner machine

Active defence strategy roughly means China will pursue a defence policy featuring self-defence and gaining mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck.

Though the international situation on the whole has become less tense, crises arose frequently and turbulence erupted one after another and the world was far from peaceful and safe, he said.

Hegemony and power politics were still in existence, sometimes in salient forms, Zhu noted.

Zhu did not mention the South Asiannuclear issue in his report.

He maintained that China would adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, safeguard China8217;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose hegemony and work to maintain world peace.

Urging the National People8217;s congress NPC deputies to 8220;fully support8221; the government8217;s plans to modernise the three million-strong People8217;s Liberation Army PLA, Zhu said top priority should be given to developing key weapons and equipment.

Government authorities at all levels should raise their awareness of the importance of national defence, be concerned about national defence and support the strengthening of the army, Zhu said.

He said steps should be taken to improve the army8217;s defence capabilities and combat effectiveness under modern technological and especially high-tech conditions, indicating Beijing8217;s concern over the possible deployment of Theatre Missile Defence TMD system by the United States in Asia.

Zhu8217;s call for supporting the military comes as Finance MinisterXiang Huaicheng is expected to report to parliament tomorrow that the PLA will receive 104.6 billion yuan US 12.60 billion under the state budget this year, representing a rise of 12.7 per cent from last year.

Most analysts expected a larger share of cash for the PLA considering the ambitious modernisation plan of the world8217;s largest armed forces.