China’s annual increases in military spending have been “appropriate and reasonable” and aimed at addressing “complex security challenges,” a spokesman for the National People’s Congress, whose annual session begins on Sunday, said Saturday.
Wang Chao did not specify whether the defense budget, which will be announced at the start of the plenary session, will register a higher or lower increase than last year’s 7.1% increase.
He said only that military spending will remain “stable” as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) and that China’s military modernization “does not pose a threat to any country”.
“On the contrary, it will only be a positive force to ensure regional stability and world peace,” Wang said at a news conference.
“The increase in defense spending is necessary to address complex security challenges and for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a great country,” he argued. “China’s defense spending … is below the world average and the increase is appropriate and reasonable.”
According to the World Bank, China spent 1.7% of GDP on its armed forces in 2021. In comparison, the United States, which maintains various systems of alliances abroad, spent 3.5%.
The Asian country allocated a total of 1.45 billion yuan (215 billion euros) to defense last year – about double compared to 2013. Consistent annual increases over two decades have allowed the People’s Liberation Army, which has 2 million troops, to capabilities in the field of All categories.
In addition to having the largest standing army in the world, China has the largest navy in the world and recently launched its third aircraft carrier. The Asian country has a huge stockpile of missiles, fighter jets, warships capable of launching nuclear weapons, advanced surface ships and nuclear-powered submarines.
China has already established a military base in Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, and is working to upgrade its naval base in Ream, Cambodia, which could give it at least a semi-permanent presence in the Gulf of Thailand, with a view in the disputed South Seas. from China.
Budget can omit spending on weapons
The modernization efforts have raised concerns among the United States and its allies, who fear that China will invade Taiwan. Beijing claims the territory, which functions as a sovereign political entity, as its own province, to be reunited by force if necessary.
This led to several arms sales to the island, including ground systems, air defense missiles and F-16 fighters. The island recently extended compulsory military service from four months to a year and is reviving its own defense industries for the first time, including submarine construction.
While China’s defense spending is no longer growing at double-digit annual rates as it has in the past, it remains relatively high despite rising government debt and an economy that grew last year at its second-lowest growth rate in four decades.
Observers say the budget cuts out much of China’s arms spending, much of which is now domestically developed after years of large-scale imports from Russia.
China’s vast capabilities and Russia’s massive spending on artillery shells and other equipment in its war against Ukraine have raised concerns that Beijing could provide military aid to Moscow.
In a written response to questions from the Lusa bureau, the Chinese government this week denied planning to supply arms to Russia.
“China will not make military sales to warring parties or to conflict zones,” the Asian country’s foreign ministry said. Beijing “has always had a prudent and responsible attitude” in arms and military equipment exports, he added.
Source: DN
