China has been making headlines recently for various reasons, ranging from its defense spending to its population decline. Here’s a rundown of the latest news stories concerning China.
First, it has been reported that China’s defense spending will increase in 2023 to meet complex security challenges and fulfill its responsibilities as a major country [3]. The Chinese government has budgeted 1.45 trillion yuan ($228 billion) for defense spending, which represents 1.7% of its GDP, according to the World Bank. In contrast, the US spent 3.5% of its GDP on defense in 2021, despite its massive overseas obligations [1]. A spokesperson for China’s parliament has stated that the country’s defense spending increases have been reasonable [2], with the increases being “moderate and reasonable” [7].
The reason behind China’s defense budget increase is attributed to the country’s nervousness about challenges on several fronts, including Taiwan and US naval and air missions in the disputed South China Sea, which is close to Chinese-occupied islands. A Chinese official, however, claims that the increase in defense spending is reasonable and not a threat [5].
Another significant issue that China is facing is its declining population. The National Bureau of Statistics has reported that China’s population decreased to 1.412 billion in 2022, down from 1.416 billion the previous year [8]. The decrease is attributed to a lower birth rate and an aging population. This demographic shift could have significant economic implications not only for China but also for the rest of the world, as China has been a major driver of global economic growth.
In international news, China has been urged by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reveal what it knows about the origins of COVID-19 [6]. This comes after several US government agencies claimed that a Chinese lab leak was behind the pandemic. The WHO has called on all countries to share information about the origins of the virus.
Furthermore, China has been involved in maritime disputes in the South and East China Seas. Foreign ministers from India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have expressed concern about challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including those in the South and East China Seas. The ministers have also urged China to follow international law and resolve disputes peacefully [9].
In addition, China has demanded that the United States stop all communication with Taiwan and halt all military contacts between the two countries [10]. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and has been increasing its military activity around the island in recent years.
In conclusion, China’s decision to increase defense spending comes at a time of heightened tensions and security concerns, both domestically and internationally. While some view the increase as reasonable, others are concerned about the impact on regional stability.
[1] “China spent 1.7% of GDP on its military in 2021, according to the World Bank, while the U.S., with its massive overseas obligations, spent a relatively high 3.5%. China budgeted 1.45 trillion…”
URL: https://news.yahoo.com/china-defense-boost-meet-complex-073423567.html
[2] “China is nervous about challenges on several fronts, ranging from Chinese-claimed Taiwan to U.S. naval and air missions in the disputed South China Sea near Chinese-occupied islands and a…”
URL: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-03-04/chinas-defence-spending-increases-have-been-reasonable-parliament-spokesman
[3] “China needs to increase its defense spending to meet complex security challenges and fulfill its responsibility as a major country, Wang Chao, spokesman for the annual National Peoples…”
URL: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-04/china-to-increase-defense-budget-to-meet-security-challenge
[4] “Chinas top legislature, the National Peoples Congress, holds a news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session. [Photo …”
URL: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/04/WS6402c511a31057c47ebb2226.html
[5] “China is nervous about challenges on several fronts, ranging from Chinese-claimed Taiwan to U.S. naval and air missions in the disputed South China Sea near Chinese-occupied islands and a…”
URL: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/chinas-defence-spending-increases-reasonable-not-a-threat-official-ahead-of-budget-101677909551589.html
[6] “The World Health Organization has urged all countries to reveal what they know about the origins of Covid-19, after claims from several US government agencies that a Chinese lab leak was behind the…”
URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/04/who-calls-on-us-to-share-information-on-covid-19-origins-after-china-lab-claims
[7] “Reuters, Beijing. Chinas defense spending as a share of gross domestic product has been kept basically stable for many years, with the increases moderate and reasonable, the …”
URL: https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/03/04/China-s-defense-spending-increases-have-been-reasonable-Parliament-spokesman
[8] “China remains home to 1.4 billion people. But that number is getting smaller. The countrys National Bureau of Statistics reported Chinas population slipped to 1.412 billion last year from…”
URL: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/03/china-population-how-slower-growth-could-hit-the-global-economy.html
[9] “In a direct shot at China, which has become increasingly aggressive in the Pacific and has alarmed its smaller neighbors by pushing claims to disputed maritime zones, the ministers said they viewed with concern challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South and East China Seas.”
URL: https://apnews.com/article/indo-pacific-diplomacy-india-us-australia-japan-china-17ebf36a78b413a1946f6bfec5546074
[10] “China on Friday, March 3 urged that the US must cease all communication with the self-administered island of Taiwan, and halt all military contacts between the joint chiefs of staff from the two ally nations. The US must cease selling weapons to the breakaway territory Taiwan, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said.”
URL: https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/china/china-demands-us-must-stop-selling-arms-to-taiwan-and-cease-all-military-contacts-articleshow.html
Current date: 3/4/2023