China has put on a display of its new helicopter in a bid to stem fears over an increase in military spending.

The government put on a tour of a military base in Beijing for foreign media to witness the Harbin Z-9 in action.

The aircraft is used to transport astronauts back to base when they return to earth but there is now a focus on more combat-style training.

Fears have grown over China's increasingly aggressive moves over the South China Sea. The Defence Ministry has announced it will formally garrison the islands it controls there.

China has boosted military spending by 11.2 per cent this year which is being monitored by the West.