China boosts military budget by 7.1% – $230 billion – to boost “combat readiness” for “major tasks” amid fears of launching an invasion of Taiwan

China has said it will increase its military budget by nearly $230 billion this year amid fears of launching an invasion of Taiwan.

The money is intended to “increase combat readiness and improve military capabilities,” Premier Li Keqiang claimed ahead of a budget proposal presented to the National People’s Congress in Beijing.

That means China’s military spending is growing at its fastest pace in four years and taking more of the economy, reversing a two-decade trend in which the country has prioritized growth over its military capabilities.

Defense spending will increase 7.2 percent to $224 billion in 2023 — far more than the 5.7 percent increase in general government spending.

The move will no doubt alarm the US administration, which is concerned about Beijing’s strategic intentions amid rising tensions with Taiwan.

China said it would increase its military budget by nearly $230 billion this year, or 7.2 percent of its spending

It marks the reversal of a two-decade trend in which China prioritized economic growth over military spending

In his work report for the annual session of the Parliament, Li said: “Our armed forces must work to carry out military operations, increase combat readiness and strengthen military operations with a focus on the goals for the People’s Liberation Army’s centenary in 2027. Possibilities.’

Beijing is nervous about challenges on fronts such as Taiwan – the self-governing island democracy that claims China as its territory, and uses force to seize control if necessary.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi angered China with a visit to Taipei last August.

In retaliation, China held war games near Taiwan.

Since then there have been a steady stream of arms sales from the US to the island, including ground systems, anti-aircraft missiles and F-16 fighter jets.

Taiwan itself recently extended conscription from four months to one year and its own defense industry, incl build submarines For the first time.

In his remarks on Taiwan, Li said the government had “held the Party’s overall policy for the new era of Taiwan issue resolution and resolutely fought against separatism and interference.”

In addition to Taiwan, tensions with the US have risen over China’s militarization of islands in the South China Sea, almost all of which it claims, and most recently over the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the US East Coast.

Participants in the National People’s Congress all wore face masks

(L-R) Li Zhanshu of the National People’s Congress, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang arrive at the opening session of the conference on March 4

The sheer capacity of China’s defense industry and Russia’s massive spending on artillery shells and other equipment in its war against Ukraine have raised concerns in the US and elsewhere that Beijing may provide military aid to Moscow.

The two-million-strong People’s Liberation Army is the military wing of the ruling Communist Party, commanded by a party committee led by President and party leader Xi Jinping.

Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday that over the past year, we have “remained committed to the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s armed forces.”

“The people’s armed forces have intensified efforts to strengthen their political allegiance, strengthen themselves through reforms, scientific and technological advancement and personnel training, and exercise law-based governance,” he said.

Li went on to praise a series of “significant achievements” in national defense and military development that have made the PLA a “more modern and capable military force.”

According to the World Bank, China spent 1.7% of GDP on its military in 2021, while the US, with its large foreign commitments, spent a relatively large 3.5%.

But China’s defense spending has remained relatively high despite the rise in public debt.

Moreover, last year the country’s economy grew at the slowest rate in at least four decades.

Li set a growth target of around 5% in his speech as he announced plans for a consumer-led recovery for the economy, which is still struggling to shake off the impact of “zero COVID”.

While the government says most spending increases will go to improving troop welfare, the PLA has significantly expanded its presence abroad in recent years.

China has already established an offshore military base in Djibouti, a nation on the Horn of Africa, and is renovating the Ream naval base in Cambodia, giving it at least a semi-permanent presence in the Gulf of Thailand can give with a view of the disputed South China Sea.