Politics China's military budget grows significantly again
The Chinese military budget is set to grow significantly once again. At the annual session of the People's Congress in Beijing, the government presented a draft budget that envisages an increase in defense spending of 7.2 percent to around 1.78 trillion yuan (approximately 231 billion euros). The military budget had already grown by the same amount in the previous year.
05.03.2025, 07:37
SDA
China has the second largest military budget in the world after the USA. Since taking office in 2013, President Xi Jinping has been pushing ahead with a comprehensive modernization of the People's Liberation Army. The aim is to create a "world-class army" by 2049. At the same time, Beijing emphasizes that it is not pursuing any aggressive intentions, but merely investing in the protection of its own sovereignty.
The increase in the military budget comes against the backdrop of numerous conflicts and tensions, particularly around Taiwan. The island, which has a population of around 23 million, is regarded by China as a separate territory, even though it has its own democratic government. Xi Jinping has repeatedly made it clear that he does not want to postpone unification indefinitely - by force if necessary. Beijing recently increased military pressure on Taiwan with extensive naval maneuvers. Chinese fighter jets are also repeatedly entering the Taiwanese airspace surveillance zone.
Other conflicts in China's regional environment are also contributing to the build-up. In the South China Sea, China is asserting far-reaching territorial claims, against which countries such as the Philippines regularly protest. There are repeated incidents with military and coast guard vessels. There are also territorial disputes with Japan in the east and India in the Himalayan region.
