Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Tebboune: Achieving economic integration must not remain a dream.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf delivers a speech on behalf of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Fifth Arab Development, Economic, and Social Summit in Baghdad.
Mustafa: We reaffirm our commitment to work with our brothers and friends around the world for stability and an end to wars.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa: We stress the importance of reaching an agreement to implement the initiatives of the Development, Economic, and Social Summit.
Aboul Gheit: The global economy is going through a period of turbulence.
Aboul Gheit: Concrete solutions must be found for the issue of Arab food security in line with the strategy proposed at the Arab Summit in Baghdad.
Aboul Gheit: Arab national security is an integrated whole that cannot be achieved without food, social, cyber, and other forms of security.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit: We present a comprehensive Arab strategy for food security at the Arab Development Summit.
The closing statement of the Arab Summit: We reaffirm our absolute rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people and call for the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.
The closing statement of the Arab Summit: The goal of the Arab Summit is to unify our efforts and achieve the interests of the peoples of our region.

China drops 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan, boosts mil. budget

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 5 Mar 2024 23:50
5 Min Read

Over the past decade, China has doubled its military expenditures to fortify its defenses and reunify Taiwan, as it considers it a part of its territory.

  • x
  • A Chinese paramilitary policeman stands guard near the portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate before the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP)
    A Chinese paramilitary policeman stands guard near the portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate before the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 5, 2024 (AP)

On Tuesday, Premier Li Qiang delivered an official report at the opening of the National People's Congress (NPC) revealing that China has boosted its national defense budget by 7.2%, a significant rise since President Xi Jinping doubled it when he took office 11 years ago, in constant efforts to fortify the nation as a result of the Taiwan issue. 

In 2013, China's defense budget stood at 720 billion yuan, compared to this year's 1.67 trillion. The increase itself reflects last year's budget and levels higher than China's forecasted economic growth. 

In this context, the domestic economic growth target for 2024 equals last year's as well and stands at 5%, the governmental report said. 

Despite defense expenditures running beyond the national GDP growth, China was able to sustain its economic stability as its military budget stood at only 1.3% of its overall GDP over the past ten years, a solar at Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), James Char, said. However, whether this stability is maintained or not depends on China's economic policies for the future. 

Regional neighbors and Western nations, prominently the United States, have monitored China's military expenditure consistency throughout the years, and more so recently, as tensions escalate.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), based in London, said China has been ballooning its military and defense spending for 30 consecutive years, in attempts to develop its armed forces and defenses. 

According to the IISS, the largest monetary allocation of the budget goes to purchasing and producing new military equipment and developing China's arsenal, including drones, missiles, warships, and submarines, all of which could be equipped with built-in nuclear and more conventional warheads, running President Xi's path of full modernization by 2035. 

In this regard, Char expected tighter management of military leadership following the development of China's weapon stock and capabilities. 

China's most prominent military body, the Central Military Commission, issued an order to repolish the procurement process using the public's help by encouraging the reporting of all irregularities.

China's robustness toward reunification 

Regarding the Taiwan reunification, China has consistently affirmed its one-China policy but recently revealed it would be taking a more forceful approach towards it. 

Related News

Trump to hold phone calls with Putin, Zelensky amid ceasefire push

Trump foreign gifts raise alarms over ethics, influence amid Gulf ties

The government report exhibited more robust language against Taiwan, and removed all notions of "peaceful reunification". This was not the first time China pulled a similar move, but a clear shift in tone could be regarded, signifying an increasingly firm stance toward Taiwan.

In response, Taiwan's so-called "Mainland Affairs Council" stressed that China must recognize that they are two separate entities, urging China to manifest healthier and more secure exchanges across the separative strait. 

So-called Taiwan's defense minister announced that the island would be fortifying its defenses and expediting missile drills and military exercises over the rest of the year.

At the beginning of 2024, in his New Year's address, Chinese President Xi Jinping adamantly declared the reunification of Taiwan inevitable. 

"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated last month that the procurement of US weapons by the Taipei administration will only bring the danger of war closer but will not stop Taiwan’s reunification with China.

"The leadership of the Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan's ruling party) is spending money earned by the sweat and blood of the people of Taiwan to buy American weapons in its own interests, this will not stop the trend of complete reunification of the Motherland, but will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation of a dangerous and terrible war," he added.

He also emphasized that the Chinese military always maintains a high level of combat readiness and will take all measures to stop "Taiwanese independence" plans.

This comes amid growing interference from the United States regarding Taiwanese-Chinese affairs. 

A few weeks ago, China criticized a visit by a US delegation to Taiwan as "interference", following the arrival of the House of Representatives committee chairman on China and four other lawmakers in the self-ruled island.

"China always resolutely opposes any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan authorities, and resolutely opposes the United States' interference in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference.

"We urge the United States to recognize the extreme complexity and sensitivity of the Taiwan issue," Mao said, calling on the US to respect the one-China principle and cease official exchanges with Taiwan.

Read more: US preparing for potential Taiwan conflict: Reuters

  • United States
  • Taiwan
  • China-Taiwan
  • China
  • Taiwan reunification

Most Read

Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Palestinians pray over bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital before burying them in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP )

Gaza casualty figures mask a much bigger horror, new study shows

  • Politics
  • 11 May 2025
Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)
Technology

Microsoft admits supplying AI to 'Israel' amid Gaza carnage

Israeli occupation’s tanks parked in a staging area near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' launches multi-axis assault in Gaza under 'Gideon’s Chariots'

People stand at the train ticket counter of NJ Transit at Penn Station, amid a strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers, in New York, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Economy

Commuters stranded amid first New Jersey railway strike in 40 years

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts
US & Canada

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS