In defense, China offers cold comfort

In defense, China offers cold comfort
China has trimmed its defense budget to below a double-digit percentage rise for the first time in a decade. The limit on spending dovetails with recent talk in China of the importance of "soft power" and cultural influence abroad. The decline could also indicate trying economic times and the scale of social problems at home. Or maybe it's all about Japan. - Peter J Brown (Mar 17, '10)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/LC18Ad02.html