China's Defense Spending Thread

[Lethe]

It is best to let the bureaucrats decide on the proper military budget rather than take some kind of symbolic action that will be appreciated by only a few and actually cared about by even fewer.

As I argued previously, the increase would not only by symbolic, just as the increased threat the USA under Trump represents to Chinese interests is not only symbolic.

Nonetheless, the symbolic significance of breaking from the established pattern of tying growth in defence spending to growth in the broader economy would be registered loud and clear, far and wide. Moreover, the cause-and-effect relationship would be clear, i.e. China could not reasonably be seen as engaging in a destabilising arms race, rather it would be obvious that she is reacting to developments in the United States.

 

[Iron Man]

As I argued previously, the increase would not only by symbolic, just as the increased threat the USA under Trump represents to Chinese interests is not only symbolic.

Nonetheless, the symbolic significance of breaking from the established pattern of tying growth in defence spending to growth in the broader economy would be registered loud and clear, far and wide. Moreover, the cause-and-effect relationship would be clear, i.e. China could not reasonably be seen as engaging in a destabilising arms race, rather it would be obvious that she is reacting to developments in the United States.

So by your logic, if the US raises its defense spending by 3%, then China should also raise its defense spending by 3%. That would also be a "break" from tying growth in defense to growth in the economy.

 

[Lethe]

I'm not even going to bother dignifying that with a reply.

 

[Iron Man]

I'm not even going to bother dignifying that with a reply.

Or rather you can't even think of one, because I've taken your reasoning to its logical conclusion. You only like the 10% because it's 10% rather than 3% or 4%, and not really because it is Trump's increase.

 

[Hendrik_2000]

I am disappointed they should jack up the defense budget to 2% of GDP instead of 1.3%

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China's defence budget to rise by around 7% over last year's $207 billion
National People's Congress spokesman Fu Ying speaking at a news conference in Beijing on Saturday (March 4).ST PHOTO: CHONG KOH PING
PUBLISHED
24 MIN AGO

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China Bureau Chief

BEIJING - China's defence budget this year will rise by around 7 per cent over last year's US$147 billion (S$207 billion), said National People's Congress (NPC) spokesman Fu Ying.

This was in turn a 7.6-per-cent rise over 2015's budget, the first time it fell below double-digit growth. The increase in 2014 was 11 per cent.

China's defence budget has been closely watched in recent years as it has become more assertive in its territorial claims in the East and South China Sea.

The NPC spokesman said China needs to keep watch on intervention of foreign forces in its national security, especially South China Sea issue.

(This story is developing)

 

[Blackstone]

I am disappointed they should jack up the defense budget to 2% of GDP instead of 1.3%

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China's defence budget to rise by around 7% over last year's $207 billion
National People's Congress spokesman Fu Ying speaking at a news conference in Beijing on Saturday (March 4).ST PHOTO: CHONG KOH PING
PUBLISHED
24 MIN AGO

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China Bureau Chief

BEIJING - China's defence budget this year will rise by around 7 per cent over last year's US$147 billion (S$207 billion), said National People's Congress (NPC) spokesman Fu Ying.

This was in turn a 7.6-per-cent rise over 2015's budget, the first time it fell below double-digit growth. The increase in 2014 was 11 per cent.

China's defence budget has been closely watched in recent years as it has become more assertive in its territorial claims in the East and South China Sea.

The NPC spokesman said China needs to keep watch on intervention of foreign forces in its national security, especially South China Sea issue.

(This story is developing)

2% GDP is SIPRI's estimate of PRC's defense expenditure.

 

[antiterror13]

2% GDP is SIPRI's estimate of PRC's defense expenditure.

if R&D, pension, veteran cost and foreign weapons purchase included ... I'd agree it would be around 2% GDP or roughly US$240B

 

[Blackstone]

if R&D, pension, veteran cost and foreign weapons purchase included ... I'd agree it would be around 2% GDP or roughly US$240B

SIPRI admitted the difficulty of deriving same standard for different country's defense estimates. While their numbers might be off, they're probably the best we pubic could see. The data is normalized, relative to each other, to provide reasonable apples to apples comparison. For discussion purposes, SIPRI's plenty good.

 

[Franklin]

The official defense budget in China is just 1,4% of GDP. But if you add the off budget items you may get a number close to 2%. SIPRI data is not reliable. I have read that the way they come to 2% is they add off budget R&D spending but they have also added the budget for the PAP to the defense budget.

 

[FORBIN]

if R&D, pension, veteran cost and foreign weapons purchase included ... I'd agree it would be around 2% GDP or roughly US$240B

Hummm enough good.

Officialy last year about 140 billions more than doubtfull with all new weapons we can see*...i have see i think the true at less more reliable 215 billions about ofc so with + 7 % : 230 billions $, 202 billions Euros for me

In more Henri K have mentionned funding for research and development for weapons is different maybe modifiy the amount of the budget

To consider except for Navy privileged have now about 70 % of modern ships, AF have again 50 % J-7/A-5/first J-8 few capable and Army 50 % of modern tanks after artillery i can' t say for all... but the modernization is for quality and clearly the qty don't invrease or few only DDGs, + 10 % +3 in 10 years but have 15 years ago more SSKs obsolete especialy 033 but more

It had previously in the history except during WWI, WWII and other ofc much more big ramp up remains consequent.