8Bill
USA
11-22
A posting here suggested that China should spend less on the military. On the surface, the comment may seem benign and even ideal, but espousal of such a stance is hardly realistic or pragmatic. Historically, China has suffered countless injustices and humiliating demands at the hands of Western powers. China is a proud country with over 5,000 years of continuous history. She has a vast territory and must account for the national integrity of 20% of the world´s population. There is a saying. "once bitten twice shy". Chinese people, and rightly so, are in no mood to tolerate outsiders meddling in their affairs at the point of a bayonet again. China´s spending on military thus far has been a defensive in nature and posture. In that regard, it could be said that, and I am borrowing from one of our esteemed presidents, China has indeed been walking softly but at the same time would reserved the right to carry a big stick, just in case.