25 May 2020
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- China’s 6.6 Per Cent Defence Spending Boost Marks Slowest Growth in Three Decades
China’s 6.6 Per Cent Defence Spending Boost Marks Slowest Growth in Three Decades
China will boost defence spending by 6.6 per cent this year the lowest rate in three decades as Beijing faces growing security risks and economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. But although the increase marks the slowest growth since 1989, it is a minor adjustment from last year’s 7.5 per cent rise in military spending. The defence budget was also a message to adversaries that Beijing would assert what it saw as its core interests, said Collin Koh, a Research Fellow with Singapore’s RSIS. “The budget does fulfil real national needs but often it reflects policies, and in a way serves also to signal intent to domestic and external audiences,” he said.
IDSS / Online
Last updated on 26/05/2020
