Major General Zhu Heping, grandson of former General Zhu De and also a member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, stated that any accidental discharge is possible if there are any more provocative actions from Japanese side.

Zhu made this remark on March 3, 2013, on the occasion of the First Session of the 12th CPPCC which is currently being held at the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

As a high-ranking officer of the People's Liberation Army, Zhu Heping claimed that, Japan had single-handedly caused the ongoing Diaoyu Islands conflict, whereas China is just carrying out and protecting its territorial use in marine fisheries.

"We will try to avoid any misfires and safeguard regional peace and stability in the East China Sea. However, if Japan does not change its attitude and further provokes, then accidental discharge is likely to happen." Zhu noted.

In response to foreign media claims regarding the excessive growth of China's military spending, Zhu said China's army expenditure is essentially in line with the nation's GDP growth. And now China's is passing through a critical period of military building and more budget was needed for the modernization of the weapons and equipments. "So far, China's military expenditure is just one-sixth to that of United States and the per capita funding is probably about one-tenth, which is relatively low."

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