 |
| China Increases Defense Budget in Response to Changing Security Situation |
Beijing - The Chinese government has increased its defense budget to deal with complex security challenges and meet state obligations. Spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress Wang Chao explained this on Saturday (4/3/2023).
"The increase in defense spending is driven by the need to respond to complex security challenges and the need to meet major state obligations," Wang told reporters. The spokesperson added that the amount of military spending is also determined by the basic needs of defense development and the level of development of the national economy.
At the same time, Wang declined to specify how much China would increase its defense spending in 2023, though adding all details would be laid out in a draft state budget expected to be published on Sunday.
The spokesperson noted China's share of the defense budget as a percentage of the country's GDP has remained largely stable and below the global average for years. "The growth rate is relatively moderate and reasonable," said Wang. He also said, "The modernization of China's armed forces will not pose a threat to any country but instead, it will be a positive force for maintaining stability and peace in the region and around the world."
China continues to increase its defense budget every year, even though Beijing adheres to a defensive military doctrine and does not participate in wars or military conflicts. By 2022, China plans to increase its military budget by 7.1% year-on-year to 1.45 trillion yuan ($209.9 billion).