The figure constitutes a 7.2 percent increase in military spending, compared to last year’s 7.1% and 6.8%, said Prime Minister Li Keqiang during the presentation of the Government report at the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Assembly.

The report also explained that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) should work to carry out military operations, increase its combat readiness and intensify training to carry out the tasks entrusted by the Communist Party of China and the people.

Li also praised the work of the armed forces last year in border protection, anti-terrorism and disaster situations, as well as its efforts to constantly modernize and reform.

China’s defense budget always attracts public attention, but domestic observers considered the increase “normal and stable” due to the need to strengthen the strategic plan to defend national interests and maintain peace amid unprecedented turbulence after the end of the Cold War.

China also intends to have world-class Armed Forces by 2035 and in recent years has advanced with tangible results in that direction. In 2019, an order signed by President Xi Jinping entered into force, the first of its kind, focused on improving the PLA’s combat capability.

The regulations seek to rectify practices incompatible with the requirements of real battles, it also details details the criteria to be followed so as to identify irregularities and violations of discipline during military training.

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