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According to China's latest budget report tendered to the National People's Congress (NPC) on Mar. 5, its defence spending will increase by 7.2 per cent in 2023, at RMB1.55 trillion (S$302 billion).

In contrast, its overall target GDP growth for 2023, at 5 per cent (according to Global Times), is lower than the 5.5 per cent target set for 2022.

The announcement made headlines worldwide, with the recently strained relations between China and US, especially over Taiwan, as a backdrop.

China to increase defence spending

According to Financial Times, China's military will "grow at its fastest pace in four years" and is "well ahead" of the 5.7 per cent increase in its general public expenditure

The hawkish Wall Street Journal, a U.S. publication, said that China's leader Xi Jinping has prioritised upgrading China's defence forces, "even as flagging economic growth increases fiscal stresses."

It quoted a draft budget report that total military expenditures would come to around US$224 billion (S$301.5 billion). Xinhua News Agency, the official state news agency of China, later confirmed that expenditures would be 1.58 trillion yuan (SS306.7 billion).

The Guardian noted that while China's military spending still remains below that of the US, it has the world's largest infantry and biggest navy.

It also continues to build its stockpile of missiles, warships, submarines and planes, including nuclear-capable bombers and stealth fighters.

China legislator said defence budget increase "appropriate and reasonable"

NPC spokesperson Wang Chao said that the budget increase was "appropriate and reasonable".

In Wang's statement, carried by China's official state media Xinhua News Agency, he said that China's considerations for defence spending are "similar to every other country in the world" and are lower than the global average if seen as a ratio to their GDP.

He also said that the budget was necessary for China to meet complex security challenges and to "fulfil its responsibilities as a major country".

Wang added: "The future of China is closely related to the future of the world. China's military modernisation will not pose a threat to any country, but will be a positive force for maintaining regional stability and world peace."

Russian state media Sputnik quoted Global Times ex-chief editor Hu Xijin's post on Chinese social media Weibo, claiming China's military spending is "keeping with its own pace" and shows "China's confidence in their military strategy".

Offer peaceful unification: Outgoing premier Li Keqiang

Singapore media publication Lianhe Zaobao noted on Mar. 6 that China's increase in defence budget last year was 7.1 per cent, a "mere 0.1 per cent increase" (if one looks at year-on-year figures, and not the overall increase).

Lianhe Zaobao stated that China had lowered its defence budget increase to 6.6 per cent in 2020, the lowest increase in 32 years. China's increase in defence budget was 6.8 per cent in 2021.

It claimed that while China has put in its official budget report that it "will have to improve military training to be ready for war", outgoing premier Li Keqiang had not read out that portion during the NPC, but instead said China hopes for peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

At the opening session, Li said: "We should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of China's peaceful reunification," according to CNA.

Previously, China president Xi Jinping promised not to rule out the use of force for unification.

Expert believes China may be pressured over Taiwan issue

Reuters sought expert opinion from Li Mingjiang, associate professor at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

He said that defence spending outpacing the economic growth forecast showed that China anticipates facing greater pressures in its external security environment, especially from the United States and on the Taiwan issue.

"Chinese leaders are clearly intensifying efforts to prepare the country militarily to meet all potential security challenges, including unexpected situations," he said.

In August 2022, then-U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, which led to China staging major live-fire drills around the island.

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Top image from Weibo.