The Chinese Parliament called the goal of increasing the defense budget.

China is increasing its defense budget in order to meet the complex security challenges and fulfill the obligations of a major country, Wang Chao, spokesman for the first session of the 14th NPC, said at a press conference on Saturday.

⠀

“The increase in defense spending is connected both with the need to respond to complex security challenges and the need to fulfill the obligations of a large country,” Wang Chao said.

⠀
When asked how much China plans to increase defense spending this year, Wang Chao did not provide any figures, noting that they would be included in the country’s draft budget for 2023.

⠀
According to past practice, the draft budget should be made public at the opening of the NPC session on Sunday.

⠀

China’s defense budget is steadily growing every year, although the PRC does not participate in wars and adheres to the defense nature of its military doctrine. According to the 2022 budget, China planned to raise its military budget to 1.45 trillion yuan ($229.5 billion), increasing military spending by 7.1% year-on-year.