April 30, 2021
2 mins read

China’s military modernisation poses global threat

It is reported that China mobilised 60,000 troops ostensibly for military exercises, but were in fact used to occupy contentious positions in Eastern Ladakh against India…reports Asian Lite News

China continues its military modernisation and aims for advances in high technology that will give it an edge over its adversaries, posing a major threat to global security.

Fabien Baussert for Modern Diplomacy writes that China mobilised 60,000 troops ostensibly for military exercises, but were in fact used to occupy contentious positions in Eastern Ladakh against India and was very much a part of the offensive strategy adopted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) across its periphery, displaying new weapons and equipment.

Western analysis of China’s defence budget over the years has claimed that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) does not officially reveal its actual expenditure on defence and that available figures are way below the expenses actually incurred by the PLA.

DF-21Ds at the 2015 Victory Parade(wikipedia)

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which had originally estimated China’s defence expenditure for 2019 as being USD 261 billion, has reduced its estimates for expenditure in 2019 to USD 240 billion.

However, this assessment fails to take into account the rapid pace of China’s military modernisation in the last decade or so, including specific attention given to the rocket and missile forces, the PLA Navy and Air Force.

Also read:China continues incursions in Taiwan air zone

The new SIPRI estimates also exclude the idea that arms imports expenses came from outside the national budget, writes Baussert for Modern Diplomacy. Only the money spent on military research and development and testing has been retained in the official defence expenditure.

Official figures released by China for 2021 indicate that the defence budget is around Chinese Yuan 1.355 trillion (USD 209 billion), a 6.8 per cent increase over the core 2020 budget. However, the UK’s IISS estimates show that in real terms, the 2021 defence budget growth is slightly lower than in 2020, owing to the three per cent annual inflation rate in China. But in value terms, the increase amounts to USD 13 billion, a figure comparable with the entire defence budget of Taiwan.

Baussert further writes that while China’s central government budget is slated to fall by 0.2 per cent, total national government spending will probably increase by 1.8 per cent. Spending on the military as a share of overall national government spending according to the IISS rises from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 5.4 per cent in 2021, the highest in several years. (ANI)

Also read:‘Chinese actions in South China Sea causing troubles in region’

Previous Story

Single vaccine dose halves transmission: Study

Next Story

Govt green lights self-driving cars on UK roads

Latest from -Top News

Taliban’s Grave Warning for Pakistan

It came less than 24 hours after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly issued a stern warning to Afghan Taliban…reports Asian Lite News As relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to deteriorate,

US deports 2,790 Indians in 2025

The MEA on Thursday confirmed that over 2,790 Indians were deported from the US this year after authorities verified their identity and nationality….reports Asian Lite News The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on

India–Cyprus talks on future plan

EAM Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Cyprus’ support for India on cross-border terrorism….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos met in New Delhi on Thursday

Rajnath Singh off for ASEAN meet

Singh is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the participating ADMM-Plus nations ..reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh departed for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to attend the 12th
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Chinese firm blamed for Pak power plant shut down

In the project, the construction of about 58 km of

China announces sanctions against Hudson Institute

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the movable and immovable