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China announces 7.2 percent military budget increase amid tensions
(MENAFN) Over the weekend, during the two sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), China announced that its military budget would increase by 7.2 percent year on year. This announcement made headlines around the world, with the Western media taking a much different angle than China's state media.
The Chinese premier's work report, submitted to the NPC, stated that the country's military should "intensify military training and preparedness across the board" in response to escalating external attempts to suppress and contain China. China's state media reacted conservatively, highlighting that the defense spending increase is consistent with the single-digit growth pattern of recent years. In 2022, the military budget increased by 7.1 percent, while in 2021 and 2020, it increased by 6.8 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively.
However, Western media outlets mentioned warnings from analysts and officials that China's real military spending could be much higher than the announced budget. For instance, the US Department of Defense has claimed that China's actual military spending could be up to two times higher. Despite this, these outlets also pointed out that China's defense budget is still dwarfed by that of the United States. The US military budget is USD772 billion, while China's is USD224 billion.
After noting the differences between the two countries' military budgets, the Western media went on to discuss other aspects of China's military, such as the size of its navy and infantry, its militarization of the South China Sea, and the warnings from Washington DC that China may invade Taiwan soon.
The announcement of China's military budget increase comes amid escalating tensions between China and the US over a range of issues, including trade, human rights, and Taiwan. Some experts believe that China's military spending increase reflects its desire to assert itself as a global power and challenge United States dominance in the region. However, others argue that China's military budget is necessary to defend itself against perceived external threats and to ensure national security.
The Chinese premier's work report, submitted to the NPC, stated that the country's military should "intensify military training and preparedness across the board" in response to escalating external attempts to suppress and contain China. China's state media reacted conservatively, highlighting that the defense spending increase is consistent with the single-digit growth pattern of recent years. In 2022, the military budget increased by 7.1 percent, while in 2021 and 2020, it increased by 6.8 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively.
However, Western media outlets mentioned warnings from analysts and officials that China's real military spending could be much higher than the announced budget. For instance, the US Department of Defense has claimed that China's actual military spending could be up to two times higher. Despite this, these outlets also pointed out that China's defense budget is still dwarfed by that of the United States. The US military budget is USD772 billion, while China's is USD224 billion.
After noting the differences between the two countries' military budgets, the Western media went on to discuss other aspects of China's military, such as the size of its navy and infantry, its militarization of the South China Sea, and the warnings from Washington DC that China may invade Taiwan soon.
The announcement of China's military budget increase comes amid escalating tensions between China and the US over a range of issues, including trade, human rights, and Taiwan. Some experts believe that China's military spending increase reflects its desire to assert itself as a global power and challenge United States dominance in the region. However, others argue that China's military budget is necessary to defend itself against perceived external threats and to ensure national security.
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