At its annual parliament session in Beijing, China announced plans to raise its defence budget by 12.2 percent.
The National People's Congress also announced an economic growth target of 7.5 percent, and plans to tackle corruption and improve environmental protections.
Premier Li Keqiang promised to "declare war" against pollution and, in the wake of Saturday's deadly attack in Kunming which left at least 29 dead, "crack down hard" on terrorism.
"The pace of economic growth is changing and downward pressure on the economy remains great," Li told delegates.
The increase in military spending comes amid tensions between China and its neighbours, particularly Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories in the East and South China Sea.
[Image via Xinhua]
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