Taipei (ANTARA/CNA) - Taiwan will not engage in an arms race with China but will focus instead on making optimal use of its defense budget, the Ministry of National Defense said Friday in response to Beijing`s announcement of a double-digit increase in military spending in 2011.

The National People`s Congress of the People`s Republic of China sets its defense budget for 2011 at around 601.1 billion Chinese yuan (US$91.5 billion), 12.7 percent higher than in 2010.

China has increased its military budget by double digits annually in recent years, and though it reflects China`s strong economic growth, it has caused alarm among many countries, the ministry said.

Taiwan`s policies are geared toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and preventing war, the ministry said, adding that it will use its military budget in an optimal way to safeguard Taiwan`s security. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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