NPC holds press conference in Beijing

The Press Conference for this year's session of the National People's Congress takes place in Beijing Friday morning. NPC spokesperson, Li Zhaoxing, introduces the main tasks and takes questions from the media on the issues topping the agenda.

This year's gathering is the fourth session of the 11th National People's Congress. One of the key tasks for Chinese lawmakers and advisors will be discussing the blueprint for the country's economic and social development over the next five years.

China said it plans to raise its defense budget by 12.7 percent to 601 billion yuan (91.5 billion US dollars) in 2011, compared with an increase of 7.5 percent last year.

"The government has always tried to limit military spending and it has set the defense spending at a reasonable level to ensure the balance between national defense and economic development," said Li Zhaoxing, spokesperson for the annual session of China's national legislature.

The former foreign minister also said China's defense expenditure is transparent and defensive in nature.

Video: Huan CAO

Footage from CCTV