Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said his country will continue building a powerful military, a day after Beijing announced a return to double-digit percentage hikes in defence spending. Opening the National People's Congress, NPC, Jiabao said strengthening national defence and building a powerful people's army are important guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. A spokesman for NPC said on Friday China's defence budget would rise 12.7 percent in 2011 to $91.7 billion. China has upgraded the People's Liberation Army's capabilities over the past three decades, developing advanced weaponry like its first stealth fighter jet. The campaign has alarmed the United States, Japan, and others in the region and raised fears, a more assertive China would seek to project its power overseas. Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara told reporters it was an extremely high ratio for defence spending.