China increases its defence budget by 7.2%
China announced a 7.2% increase in its defence budget for this year, raising the total figure to approximately 245 billion dollars. This increase is in response to the need to modernise its army and strengthen its military presence in the region, in a context of growing tensions with the United States, Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific countries. The announcement was made during the National People's Congress, the annual meeting of the Chinese legislature.
With the second largest defence budget in the world, behind only the United States, China already has the largest naval force on the planet. However, the US Department of Defense and several experts estimate that China's real defence spending could be up to 40% higher than the official figure, due to items included in other budgets.
Although the increase in military spending is keeping pace with last year, it is considerably lower than in previous years, reflecting the slowdown in the Chinese economy. In this sense, the country's leaders have set an economic growth target of 5% for this year, facing challenges such as the tariffs imposed by Washington.
Military expansion and geopolitical tensions
The increase in Chinese military spending has been focused on the development of advanced technologies, including fighter planes, aircraft carriers (with plans to have four in the near future) and a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal. These investments are directly related to the increase in tensions with its neighbours and the US military presence in Asia.
In particular, the Asian giant has intensified its actions in the South China Sea, where it has built bases on artificial islands to consolidate its control over the region. However, its main target is still Taiwan, a democratic island with close ties to the United States that Beijing considers part of its territory. In recent days, the People's Liberation Army has sent a group of planes and ships to the vicinity of the island, after having carried out large-scale air raids.
Taiwan responds by strengthening the military sector
The Taiwanese government has responded to these threats by increasing its military budget, strengthening its defences with modernised F-16 aircraft, tanks, missiles and locally manufactured weaponry. According to the island's Ministry of Defence, these measures are aimed at dealing with an increasingly complex international environment and growing pressure from Beijing.
For his part, the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, reiterated to the National People's Congress that China prefers a peaceful solution to the Taiwanese question, but warned that the country is firmly opposed to any move towards the island's independence. ‘We will move resolutely forward in the cause of China's reunification and work with our compatriots in Taiwan to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,’ Li said.
With the geopolitical landscape constantly evolving, the increase in the Chinese defence budget reinforces its intention to consolidate its military might in Asia and confront the strategic presence of the United States in the region. As Beijing moves forward with its modernisation plans, the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific remains a matter of great concern for the region and the international community.