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China's Defense Budget Soars 7.2% Amid Rising Tensions

3/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

China's defense budget is set to rise by 7.2% in 2025, reaching around 1.78 trillion yuan ($245 billion). This increase reflects a decade of steady growth amid rising military modernization and escalating tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, even as spending remains below 1.5% of GDP, trailing the global average.

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Story summary

China's defense budget is set to rise by 7.2% in 2025, reaching around 1.78 trillion yuan ($245 billion). This increase reflects a decade of steady growth amid rising military modernization and escalating tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, even as spending remains below 1.5% of GDP, trailing the global average.