"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.

The limited military strength of China is solely for safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and would not pose a threat to any country," said Li.

He said China's defense expenditure is transparent and defensive.

"There is no such thing as the so-called hidden military expenditure in China," he said.