BEIJING: China on Saturday increased its annual defense budget by 7.1 per cent to $230 billion from $209 billion last year, which is three times India’s military spending.
The Chinese government has proposed a defense budget of 1.45 trillion yuan (USD 230 billion) for fiscal year 2022, a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase according to the draft budget proposals submitted by the premier. li keqiang For the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s parliament on Saturday.
The increase in China’s defense spending comes amid increasing incidents of muscle flexing in the strategic Indo-Pacific region by the People’s Liberation Army.
In his work report presented to the NPC, Premier Lee called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to deepen comprehensive war preparedness.
He said the PLA needs to conduct military conflicts in a firm and flexible manner to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
China’s defense budget, which does not factor in spending on its rapid modernization of the navy, including building new aircraft carriers, air forces and missile systems, is more than three times India’s defense budget of Rs 5.25 lakh crore (approximately). 70 billion USD) for 2022.
In addition to the defense budget, China has a separate internal security budget that often exceeds defense spending.
China, which remains the largest standing army despite reducing its troops to two million from the earlier 2.3 million in 2017, is the second largest spender on defense after the US, with a defense budget of over USD 600 billion. was excessive.
Last year, China’s defense spending crossed $200 billion for the first time. In 2021, the defense budget grew by 6.8 percent to USD 209 billion.
Defense spending increased over the years as all-round development of China’s military became the focus of the President Xi Jinping Since assuming power in 2012.
The 68-year-old Xi, who heads the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in addition to the military and presidency, is set to remain in power unlike his predecessors, perhaps for the rest of his life after completing his 10-year term this year. Because he has been awarded the post. “Core leader” like the founder of the party Mao Zedong,
Xi has also undertaken sweeping military reforms, including a reduction in the size of the army and increasing the role of the navy and air force, as Beijing sets its sights on global expansion with military bases in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
China has also taken Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on a 99-year lease and expanded and modernized Pakistan’s Gwadar port in the Arabian Sea, where according to previous reports it is planning a major naval base.
In his work report, Premier Li noted that China made great progress in strengthening national defense and armed forces last year, marking a good start in this effort in the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
“This year, we will fully implement Xi Jinping’s vision on strengthening the armed forces and military strategy for a new era, working towards the goals of the Centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027, and party leadership in all aspects.” And will strengthen the party building of the army”, he said.
“We will increase military training and preparedness for war, remain firm and resilient in pursuing military conflict, and defend China’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” Li said.
“We will move rapidly to modernize the Army’s logistics and asset management systems and create a modern weapons and equipment management system,” he said.
As the Chinese military underwent massive modernisation, observers say its strategy and approach along the 3488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) also changed over time with incursions, chief among them 2017 Doklam and 2020 Eastern Ladakh was
In eastern Ladakh, as a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, Indian and Chinese armies completed the disengagement process in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake and Gogra areas but the standoff in the Hot Springs area continued.
The two sides have so far held 14 rounds of commanders-level talks to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff.
China’s conflict with the US is also increasing over the disputed South China Sea and Taiwan, which China vows to merge with the mainland.
In his work report, Premier Li said that China will pursue the peaceful development of relations in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan’s reunification with China, and strongly opposes any separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference. .
China considers Taiwan to be part of the mainland.
In his work report, Lee said his government would continue to reform the national defense and military, and advance innovations in defense science and technology.
“We will implement the strategy to strengthen the army by training competent personnel in the new era, run the army according to law and strict discipline and promote high-quality development of the army,” he said.
China will improve the layout of defense science, technology and industry, adding that “we will finish reforming the defense mobilization system and raise public awareness of national defence”.
“Government must provide strong support for the development of national defense and armed forces at all levels, so that the unity between the army and the government and between the army and the people remains strong”, he said.
The Chinese government has proposed a defense budget of 1.45 trillion yuan (USD 230 billion) for fiscal year 2022, a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase according to the draft budget proposals submitted by the premier. li keqiang For the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s parliament on Saturday.
The increase in China’s defense spending comes amid increasing incidents of muscle flexing in the strategic Indo-Pacific region by the People’s Liberation Army.
In his work report presented to the NPC, Premier Lee called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to deepen comprehensive war preparedness.
He said the PLA needs to conduct military conflicts in a firm and flexible manner to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
China’s defense budget, which does not factor in spending on its rapid modernization of the navy, including building new aircraft carriers, air forces and missile systems, is more than three times India’s defense budget of Rs 5.25 lakh crore (approximately). 70 billion USD) for 2022.
In addition to the defense budget, China has a separate internal security budget that often exceeds defense spending.
China, which remains the largest standing army despite reducing its troops to two million from the earlier 2.3 million in 2017, is the second largest spender on defense after the US, with a defense budget of over USD 600 billion. was excessive.
Last year, China’s defense spending crossed $200 billion for the first time. In 2021, the defense budget grew by 6.8 percent to USD 209 billion.
Defense spending increased over the years as all-round development of China’s military became the focus of the President Xi Jinping Since assuming power in 2012.
The 68-year-old Xi, who heads the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in addition to the military and presidency, is set to remain in power unlike his predecessors, perhaps for the rest of his life after completing his 10-year term this year. Because he has been awarded the post. “Core leader” like the founder of the party Mao Zedong,
Xi has also undertaken sweeping military reforms, including a reduction in the size of the army and increasing the role of the navy and air force, as Beijing sets its sights on global expansion with military bases in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
China has also taken Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on a 99-year lease and expanded and modernized Pakistan’s Gwadar port in the Arabian Sea, where according to previous reports it is planning a major naval base.
In his work report, Premier Li noted that China made great progress in strengthening national defense and armed forces last year, marking a good start in this effort in the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
“This year, we will fully implement Xi Jinping’s vision on strengthening the armed forces and military strategy for a new era, working towards the goals of the Centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027, and party leadership in all aspects.” And will strengthen the party building of the army”, he said.
“We will increase military training and preparedness for war, remain firm and resilient in pursuing military conflict, and defend China’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” Li said.
“We will move rapidly to modernize the Army’s logistics and asset management systems and create a modern weapons and equipment management system,” he said.
As the Chinese military underwent massive modernisation, observers say its strategy and approach along the 3488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) also changed over time with incursions, chief among them 2017 Doklam and 2020 Eastern Ladakh was
In eastern Ladakh, as a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, Indian and Chinese armies completed the disengagement process in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake and Gogra areas but the standoff in the Hot Springs area continued.
The two sides have so far held 14 rounds of commanders-level talks to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff.
China’s conflict with the US is also increasing over the disputed South China Sea and Taiwan, which China vows to merge with the mainland.
In his work report, Premier Li said that China will pursue the peaceful development of relations in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan’s reunification with China, and strongly opposes any separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference. .
China considers Taiwan to be part of the mainland.
In his work report, Lee said his government would continue to reform the national defense and military, and advance innovations in defense science and technology.
“We will implement the strategy to strengthen the army by training competent personnel in the new era, run the army according to law and strict discipline and promote high-quality development of the army,” he said.
China will improve the layout of defense science, technology and industry, adding that “we will finish reforming the defense mobilization system and raise public awareness of national defence”.
“Government must provide strong support for the development of national defense and armed forces at all levels, so that the unity between the army and the government and between the army and the people remains strong”, he said.