quote:

China Defense Minister: We Can Compete with West
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 21 Sep 2009 15:37

BEIJING - China's military capability has taken a "quantum leap" thanks to a modernization drive and its weaponry rivals that of Western countries, the nation's defense minister said in an interview Sept. 21.

The comments by Liang Guanglie came in an interview published by Xinhua News Agency 10 days before China is set to roll out a range of advanced weaponry in a National Day military parade.

"Our capabilities in waging defensive combat under modern conditions have taken a quantum leap," Liang was quoted as saying.

Liang rattled off a list of achievements in military technology and hardware by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including military-use satellites, advance aircraft, tanks, artillery and missiles.

"It could be said that China has basically all the kinds of equipment possessed by Western countries, much of which reaches or approaches advanced world standards.

"This is a very remarkable achievement, which not only reflects the level of modernization of our army, but also tremendous changes in national science and technology strength."

Chinese media said earlier this month that "52 types" of new homegrown weapons would debut during the Oct. 1 parade, and recent rehearsals through the capital have offered glimpses of the hardware, notably an array of powerful missiles.
"It is no exaggeration to say that our Army has a strong combat capability," Liang said.

China has poured money into its armed forces in recent years in a bid to transform the once-backward PLA into a lean, professional and high-tech fighting force.

China's military spending rose 15.3 percent in 2009 to $69 billion, according to a budget submitted to parliament in March, the latest in a string of double-digit increases.

Amid growing concern overseas about China's military intentions, Beijing stresses the defensive nature of its armed forces.