US EditionChina Sets Slowest Defense Budget Growth Since 2022 at 7%
China’s 7% defense budget rise to $276.8 billion in 2026 is the slowest since 2022 and aims to enhance military readiness amid regional tensions and anti-corruption purges.
- On March 5, 2026, China proposed 7 percent defense growth, the slowest since 2021, submitting the draft to the national legislature at the Two Sessions.
- Chinese officials said adjusting defense budgets to meet national security and sovereignty is a sovereign right, marking the 11th consecutive year of single-digit defense growth amid rising global instability this year.
- Beijing plans to allocate 1.9096 trillion yuan to defense, up from last year's $244.99 billion while the United States exceeds $1 trillion.
- In Taiwan, Lai Ching‑te has called for increased military spending, while Japan's government approved a record $58 billion defence budget, amid China's 7 percent defense budget proposal, prompting regional responses.
- Despite absolute size, China retains defense spending below 1.5 percent of GDP with one overseas base in Djibouti, officials say the budget supports advanced combat capabilities and PLA modernization.
66 Articles
66 Articles
China Boosts Military Spending With Eye On US And Taiwan
Is Asia entering a new era of military competition? That question is back in focus after China unveiled a fresh boost to its defence spending.At the annual Two Sessions gathering in Beijing, Chinese leaders announced a 7% rise in the 2026 defence budget. The total military spending is about 1.9 trillion yuan ($276.8bn).It’s a steady climb—one Beijing has maintained for nearly a decade.Why the increase? Analysts say the money will go toward highe…
Beijing sets a lower growth target for 2026 and raises the defense budget to 275 billion dollars. Shortly before the Xi-Trump summit, the course becomes particularly clear. An analysis.
China is increasing the arms budget by seven percent. Civil participation in the military is to be facilitated.
The new growth target issued by the National People's Congress in China is as low as it has been since 1991. One reason is the weak domestic demand. However, there is more money for the armed forces.
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