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Story summary
- People's Republic of China announced a defense budget of 1.9096 trillion yuan (US$276.8 billion) for the year, up 7 percent.
- The spending aims to boost military salaries, training, and capabilities.
- Despite a weakening economy, analysts note that the budget significantly surpasses Taiwan's and that military spending has risen about 7–8 percent annually since 2016.
- China set its GDP growth target at 4.5–5 percent, the lowest in decades.
