China: Beijing dramatically increases its military spending

A CH-6 drone is seen on the eve of the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, Sept. 27, 2021 (illustrative image).

AFP - NOEL CELIS

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

China announces the increase of its military expenditure, which is already considerable: + 7.1% planned for this year.

This is the strongest increase for three years.

The global context is already tense, with the war in Ukraine rekindling fears of seeing China invade Taiwan. 

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With this envelope of 230 billion dollars, China still has the second largest defense budget in the world, after the 740 billion dollars of the United States.

And it is indeed the American technological advance that China wants to catch up with because Washington has for years been thwarting its operations to intimidate neighboring countries in the China Sea, by having its warships cross there.

The case of Taiwan

Same thing for Taiwan: Beijing still considers the island as part of its territory, and the Chinese do not rule out taking it back by force.

But the United States supports Taiwan 

at least

by selling it weapons.

Since the end of last year, tension has increased in the region, with China testing Washington by increasing incursions near the island.

China scores points

And Beijing is said to be watching the situation in Ukraine closely today, to see how the international community reacts to the Russian invasion.

Its technological lag vis-à-vis the United States remains significant, but China scores points, and shows it: according to the Pentagon, the hypersonic glider that Beijing tested last year fired a projectile during its race, which which took the Americans by surprise, who for once did not yet have this type of armament.

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Also to listen: Hypersonic missiles: the new threat

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