1.  By what percent is China increasing its defense spending this year?

2.  a) For what reasons must China increase its defense spending, according to the National People's Congress (NPC) spokesman Jiang Enzhu.
b) What will most of the defense budget's increase be used for, according to Mr. Jiang?

3.  a) What does Jiang Enzhu mean by "reunification?"
b) Mr. Jiang says that Taiwan's secession efforts will not enjoy popular support in Taiwan.  Do you think that the majority of Taiwanese people want to be independent from China, or a part of China, ruled by the mainland Chinese government?  Explain your answer.

4.  a) Who is John Negroponte?
b) How does Mr. Negroponte justify to China the sale of 450 air and ground missiles to Taiwan?
c) What concern does Mr. Negroponte have with China's military spending?

5.  Why does the Pentagon think that China's actual military spending may be three or four times higher than their budget figures?

6.  Much of what is said by Chinese and U.S. spokesmen about Chinese military spending is diplomatic talk.  What do you think is really going on here?