"The 12.2-percent increase in military budget this year seems quite large, but the fact is China still lags far behind developed countries, and this increase is necessary to improve its national defense construction," said Xu Guangyu, a senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

Tense region

Although China's defense budget has been growing at a steady pace over the past four years, experts say the country's military spending is still far from the level it needs to be, as the country faces increasingly severe security challenges.

Zhong Zhenming, an international relations scholar at the Shanghai-based Tongji University, said that some countries have continued to create an unstable environment for China while accusing it of becoming a regional threat.

"China's increased military strength is partly in response to provocative moves taken by some countries, who should review their own policies first," Zhong said.

Chen with the Academy of Military Sciences highlighted China's instable peripheral environment, especially the rising maritime security risks, territorial and maritime disputes, as well as terrorist threats. He pointed out that the increasing strategic pressure and high-risk security environment facing China require the country to invest more in defense. Particularly, the development of its navy, air force and the Second Artillery Corps, which is China's strategic missile force, is necessary to secure its homefront and safeguard regional peace.

Disputes between China and neighboring countries that have overlapping maritime claims in the East and South China seas over the past year were marked by controversies after China established its East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone in November 2013.

According to Qian, the former head of the MND's Foreign Affairs Office, many Asian countries have increased their defense budgets. According to him, Asia's defense spending surpassed that of the European Union in 2012, and reached $320 billion in 2013.

Chen Kai, Vice Chairman of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said that a considerable part of China's military strength has been aimed at securing world peace, including anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the Chinese navy's involvement in escorting shipments of Syrian chemical weapons this year.

Tan Weihong, a senior colonel from the PLA's Second Artillery Force, said that China's economic development has enabled its military to catch up, "but regardless of what the money is spent on or what the military does, other parties harboring Cold War mentalities will object."

In his speech in Berlin, President Xi dismissed the "China threat" theory, saying that the country will never seek "hegemony or expansion" and will stick to friendly partnerships with its neighbors.

"But China will also not repeat the historic tragedy of being enslaved and colonized by big powers like after the Opium Wars [in the mid-1800s]," Xi said.

As for disputes, Xi added, "We advocate properly handling the frictions and managing disputes through negotiation and dialogue, but on important issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will not stir up trouble, but we are also not afraid of trouble, and will firmly safeguard China's legitimate rights."

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