China will increase its defense budget by 7.2% to 1.5537 trillion yuan. Last year, military spending rose 7.1% to 1.45 trillion yuan, Premier Li Keqiang said in his government report.
According to the South China Morning Post, National People’s Congress (NPC) spokesman Wang Chao, explaining the increase in defense spending, said that it is necessary to cope with “difficult challenges” in the security sector and “fulfill our responsibilities as a large country.” .
China has been increasing its military spending annually over the past years. In 2017, they for the first time exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about $144.6 billion), and in subsequent years, including during the pandemic, they continued to grow. 2022 was no exception, when the budget provided for an increase in defense spending by 7.1%, to 1.451 trillion yuan (about $229.07 billion).
Beijing will take “decisive steps” to oppose Taiwanese independence and promote reunification, Li promised. He also added that China intends to pursue an “independent” and “peaceful” foreign policy. “We must continue to work to protect world peace, promoting global development and maintaining international order,” the head of government emphasized.
Source: Rosbalt
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