China, which increased its defence budget in double digits till 2015, lowered it to single digit hikes since 2016.
China’s budgeted defence spending growth rate stood at 7.6 per cent in 2016, 7 per cent in 2017 and 8.1 per cent in 2018.
China, in recent years, has resorted to major reforms of its military, which included giving priority to expand its navy and air force to enhance its influence abroad, while cutting down three lakh troops of the People’s Liberations Army (PLA).
Even after the cuts, the PLA is the world’s biggest military with two million personnel in its ranks.
As part of the new policy, China now has one aircraft carrier, another undergoing trials and the third one under construction.
State media reported that China planned to have five aircraft carriers in the near future with plans to build nuclear carriers like the US. It is also rapidly adding new naval ships and submarines.It also claimed to have developed a new range of missiles and weapons systems in recent years, including stealth aircraft.
Describing China’s defence budget increases in recent years as reasonable and appropriate, NPC spokesman Zhang Yesui said the raise aimed to “meet the country’s demand in safeguarding national security and military reform with Chinese characteristics”.
Compared to other countries, China’s defence budget accounted for 1.3 per cent of the GDP, while major developing countries spent two per cent GDP on their defence, Zhang added.
“China remains committed as always to a peaceful path of development and we pursue a defensive national defence policy. China’s limited defence spending is for safeguarding the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the country. It is not a threat to other countries,” he said.
