China announces 2020 defense budget increase
The 3rd session of the 13th Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) has approved an increase by 6.6 percent from the previous year of the defense budget of the central government for 2020, maintaining a moderate and steady growth, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, Deputy Director of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND said.
“China stays committed to the path of peaceful development, a defensive defense policy, and balanced economic and defense development,” Colonel Guoqiang said. “The scale of defense expenditure is determined in accordance with economic development, defense needs and the current domestic and international situations”.
According to Colonel Guoqiang, China’s defense budget will mainly be spent in the following areas:
First, to improve the working, training, and living conditions of the armed forces, and provide better benefits for the officers and soldiers.
Second, it will be used to promote the modernization of weapons and equipment, implement the major programs and key projects specified in the 13th Five-year Plan and eliminate certain outdated equipment and upgrade some outmoded equipment.
Third, it will be used to advance defense and military reform and provide finance for the reform of military policies and institutions.
Fourth, it will be used to strengthen combat-readiness and realistic training and provide support for diversified military missions, such as international peacekeeping, vessel protection, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief and rescue.
