China's Defense Budget To Grow 7% This Year

Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) march during the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo

Reuters: China's 2017 defense budget rise to slow again

Defying pressure for a strong increase in defense spending, China said on Saturday its military budget this year would grow about 7 percent, its slowest pace since 2010.

Last year, with China's economy slowing, the defense budget recorded its lowest increase in six years, 7.6 percent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit increases.

With the administration of new U.S. President Donald Trump proposing a 10 percent jump in military spending in 2017, and worries about potential disputes with the United States over the South China Sea and the status of Taiwan, some in China had been pressing for a forceful message from this year's defense budget.

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WNU Editor: Other countries are sceptical of these numbers .... In break with past, China releases no exact defense budget (The Hindu). More here .... China to strengthen defenses, but budget details excluded (Reuters).

Update: China Finance Ministry Releases $151 Billion Defense Budget (AP)

More News On China's Defense Budget Growing 7% This Year

China to raise 2017 defense budget by around 7 pct: spokesperson -- CCTV
Spotlight: China's defense budget increase "eclipsed" by U.S. -- Xinhuanet
China announces smallest military spending increase in 7 years -- CNN
China continues trend of sinking defense budget growth -- DW
China’s Defense Budget to Rise 7 Percent -- VOA
China Dials Back Defense Spending Increases as Economy Cools - Bloomberg
China’s Defense Budget to Rise 7 Percent -- Financial Tribune
China Eases Foot Off Gas on Military Spending -- FOX News
China Raises Defense Spending But Not as Much as Trump -- NBC
As Trump pushes for bigger U.S. defense budget, China slows growth rate of its military spending -- Washington Post
Why China Intends to Boost Military Budget Following Trump's Announcement -- Sputnik