Some questions have been raised recently about whether China’s defense budget has hidden portions, including expenditure on hi-tech weapons systems and on research and development of military technology.

According to Yang Yujun, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday, the Chinese government has incorporated all defense expenditures involving national defense development into the national budget, which was submitted to the National People’s Congress for review.

Yang said that the defense budget in 2016 will be used for a variety of purposes.

First, it will ensure strong support of national defense and military reform, including downsizing and restructuring, adjustment of operations systems, and more.

Second, the budget will ensure ongoing investment in equipment, which means eliminating some old and obsolete equipment and gradually upgrading to later generations of defense technology.

Third, the budget will support the construction of a team of highly qualified military talent.

Fourth, it will be used to improve the training, working and living conditions of grassroots units.

Fifth, it will promote in-depth integration of the military and civilian sectors and give better support to border and coastal defense construction.

Yang explained that all these areas — military reform, armaments development, talent cultivation, combat training, national defense mobilization, border and coastal defense construction and others — have been taken into consideration during the development of the 2016 defense expenditure plan.

The plan was finalized according to both the goals of the military and the current national economic situation. There are no hidden portions, and the plan is designed to meet the demands of safeguarding national sovereignty and security.