[軍事一瞥]中國軍隊的杯形蛋糕攻略

當世界規模最大的軍隊——人民解放軍（PLA）－－今天邀請外國人進入其神密的隊伍中時，他們不但以張開的雙臂來歡迎來客，還展示了他們的輕武器。長期以來，中國對於自己的軍事家底一直守口如瓶，這引起了對其日益增強的實力和飛速增長的軍費開支滿懷警惕的國家的批評。而解放軍正通過更大程度的開放來嘗試平息此類擔憂。

China's army uses media display to launch cupcakes offensive

The display of wrestling and sharp-shooting（精準射擊） might have been predicted; so too, perhaps, the welcome from the military band. But the offer of cupcakes was an unexpected bonus.

When the world's largest military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA)（中國人民解放軍）, invited foreigners into its secretive ranks today, it did so with open, as well as small, arms. There was a sneak preview of the dormitories, where soldiers sleep 10 to a room in bunk beds and the quilts were so geometrically folded that the creases （折縫）were sharp as knives. There was a visit to the firing range where soldiers peppered targets that promptly unfurled （展開）to reveal a message welcoming their guests.

There was also an inspection of the kitchens, well-stocked of course, in accordance with the old maxim that an army marches on its stomach. Sides of meat hung from hooks; tables were piled with vegetables, steamed buns（饅頭） and, yes, cupcakes.

Outside clouds of sMoke rose in the distance as troops fired rocket launchers. Moments later, dozens of men kicked, punched（拳擊） and leapt their way through a wrestling and fighting display. That was followed by a dramatic set-piece in which soldiers exchanged fire with fleeing black-clad "terrorists" and stormed their hideout.

What followed was equally striking. "Now you are invited to conduct individual interviews," the commander announced as soldiers lined up in a row in front of the media.

Annual double-digit rises（兩位數的增長） in military spending（軍費開支） have stoked fears in the US and among neighbours about China's rising strength. The PLA has sought to allay those fears by addressing a broader audience. This weekend, the ministry of defence will launch a bilingual website, state media has reported.

"China is more and more open to the outside world," said Senior Colonel Leng Jiesong, head of the Third Guard Division, at a brief press conference this morning. "So is the People's Liberation Army, and we are actively speeding up our opening process."

The Chinese military budget rose 14.9% to 480.6bn yuan (£43b) this year, which the country claims it needs to keep up with other nations and its growing responsibilities, such as contributing to peacekeeping forces.

While officers emphasised the shift from "mechanisation" to "informatisation", the displays yesterday were distinctly old-school. Watching soldiers pounding at keyboards might have lacked the same impact.

Keke View：近二十年來，中國的國防開支以每年兩位數的速度增長。北京宣佈今年將軍費增加14.9個百分點，達4806.8億人民幣（合702.7億美元）。這一數字可與日本、俄羅斯和英國的軍費開支比肩，但跟美國相比仍然相形見絀，後者的軍費比北京多近10倍。