Beijing will issue a white paper on the country's defence policy today, according to Cai Wu , minister of the State Council's Information Office.
Amid growing concern over Beijing's increased military spending, Mr Cai said the white paper, the fifth since 1998, would expand on Beijing's national defence policy and review the military's modernisation drive over the past two years.
He said the Ministry of Defence had yet to decide whether to hold regular meetings with the media. The ministry is not on a list of spokesmen from 74 government agencies, six Communist Party departments and 31 provinces and municipalities released by Mr Cai's office.
Mr Cai also said Beijing would consider inviting overseas media to cover the 17th party congress to be held next autumn, despite a five-decade tradition of banning foreigners.
