China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget in 2025 as it continues to modernize its military. This decision is aimed at strengthening territorial claims and curbing US influence in Asia, informs AR.
China’s military spending remains the second largest in the world after the United States. Beijing already has the largest navy. Currently, the country’s defense budget is approximately 245 billion dollars, and its increase was announced at the annual meeting of the legislature of the People’s Republic of China.
The level of budget growth of 7.2% corresponds to last year’s figure, but it is lower than the double-digit growth rates observed in previous years. This indicates a general slowdown in the Chinese economy. Beijing has traditionally attributed the increase in defense spending to the need to conduct exercises, maintain troops and improve living conditions for two million servicemen.
The Pentagon and a number of experts believe that China’s real defense spending may significantly exceed official figures, as part of military spending may be hidden in budget expenditures for other areas.
