A Chinese broadcaster prepares to do a live feed on Tiananmen Square during the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese leaders and top delegates attend the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese delegate hosts jump for a group photo on Tiananmen Square during the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

A Chinese soldier, under a giant portrait of former helmsman Mao Zedong, stands watch over Tiananmen Square during the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2017. China's capital is on high alert for potential protests and demonstrators during the country's annual congress. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese leaders and top delegates attend the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese delegates arrive on Tiananmen Square for the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese military delegates arrive on Tiananmen Square for the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Chinese leaders and top delegates attend the opening of the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. The CPPCC plays a largely symbolic governmental role, with members meeting once a year to discuss social and economic policies, among them wealthy business leaders, sport stars and members of powerful political families. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

March 4 (UPI) -- China's parliament on Saturday announced the country will increase its military spending by 7 percent in 2017.

Ahead of Sunday's annual National People's Congress, parliament announced China's smallest increase to its military spending in seven years and the second consecutive year below 10 percent.


Premier Li Keqiang will announce the precise figure for the country's military spending when he addresses the National People's Congress.

National People's Congress spokeswoman Fu Ying said China's total military spending will account for 1.3 percent of its projected gross domestic product in 2017.

"We have to guard against external forces from getting involved in our territorial disputes," she told CNN. "The strengthening of China's [military] capabilities help preserve peace and stability in the region, not the opposite."

China's defense spending increased by 7.6 percent to $146 billion in 2016 after the budget had regularly increased by double digits every year since 2010.

Beijing has focused on the country's naval capabilities, building artificial islands on reefs in waters with disputed ownership by other countries in the South China Sea.

The country said it has no plans to militarize the islands, but defended its right to build so-called necessary military facilities for defensive purposes.

Fu said the nation's defense plans supported "dialogue for peaceful resolutions, while at the same time, we need to possess the ability to defend our sovereignty and interests."