Insiders say the PLA will want to match or exceed last year’s 7.5 per cent growth rate as tensions mount on several fronts. Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
SCMP: China’s military seeks bigger budget amid growing threat of US conflict
* Insiders say the PLA will want to match or exceed last year’s 7.5 per cent growth rate as tensions mount on several fronts
* While relations with Washington worsen, Beijing says it also faces threats from pro-independence forces in Taiwan, separatists in Tibet and Xinjiang
China’s military leaders are fighting for a substantial increase in their budget to be announced at the National People’s Congress that starts on Friday, arguing that the world’s largest standing army needs more resources to cope with volatile challenges at home and overseas. But top of the list is the growing confrontation with the US.
China-US relations have hit a low point amid a trade war, spats over civil liberties and Taiwan, and conflicts over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Add to that accusations flying between Washington and Beijing about the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic
and it is a toxic brew.
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WNU Editor: China's state media has been talking about a modest increase in this year's budget .... Experts predict 3 pct growth in China’s military budget amid rising defense needs (Global Times). I do not believe this "modest increase" is going to happen. What I expect is a double digit increase that is going to shock everyone.
