March 5, 2023
1 min read

China to hike defence budget


Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has continued to significantly expand and overhaul its military..reports Asian Lite News

China’s military budget is set to increase again, the spokesperson for its “rubber-stamping” parliament has said, before a week-long political meeting expected to make big changes to China’s system of governance and increase measures to combat international sanctions, a media report said.

The spokesperson for the National People’s Congress, China’s legislative body, addressed the media on the eve of its annial meeting to outline the week’s agenda, including changes to the constitution and the legal sector, and endorsing new appointments to senior roles, The Guardian reported.

Wang Chao said that the defence budget rises as a proportion of GDP had been moderate and below global averages. Last year’s 1.45 trillion yuan (190 billion pound) budget was a rise of 7.1 per cent and followed a rise of 6.8 per cent in 2021 and 6.6 per cent in 2020, the media outlet reported.

Wang did not say by how much the budget would increase, but said it was “appropriate and reasonable” and was needed for China to meet complex security challenges and to “fulfil its responsibilities as a major country”.

“The modernisation of China’s military will not pose a threat to any country,” Wang said. “On the contrary, it will only be a positive force for safeguarding regional stability and world peace.”

Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has continued to significantly expand and overhaul its military. However, information about actual spending compared with budget announcements remains opaque, with the US defence department estimating it could be 1.1 to 2 times higher.

ALSO READ: Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China

Previous Story

Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China

Next Story

Saudi analyst lauds India’s foreign policy

Latest from -Top News

Ramaphosa gains from US showdown

South African President’s conduct with Trump reminded South Africans of his diplomatic pedigree, and of his importance to the country’s rules-based order South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation went to

Armed gangs kill dozens in Nigeria

A local state governor said “scores” of people had been killed in the attacks, which also saw homes and properties destroyed. Northeast Nigeria has been gripped by a deadly wave of violence

Children die as USAID aid cuts snap a lifeline

Trump administration cut more than 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall assistance around the world. Programs serving children were hit hard Under the dappled light of a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Chaman-Spin Boldak border to be reopened

The envoy said he had recently called on Afghan Foreign

Chinese projects on Yarlung Tsangpo River to affect India, B’desh

Experts believe that they are now under serious threat due