The Global Times (March 3) said that analysts and observers predict, ahead of China's
announcement of its defense budget for 2022, that China will likely continue to steadily
increase its military expenditure, at a rate possibly slightly faster than last year. The Global
Times said China needs to further develop its national defense capabilities to safeguard national
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and rightful interests. The amount is expected to be announced
in a draft budget report at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress
on March 5. According to the Global Times multiple military experts believe that the budget
could grow by about 7 percent.
(Comment: In March 2021, China announced a defense budget of 1.35 trillion yuan (US$ 209
billion), a 6.8 percent increase, faster than the 6.6 percent increase in 2020.)
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