China announced that it would increase its defense budget by 7.2%, totaling about $245 billion.
The Pentagon believes China’s defense spending may be 40% higher due to items included in other budgets, the Associated Press reported.
Premier Li Qiang stated during the congressional gathering that China “resolutely opposes” efforts pushing for Taiwan’s independence.
“We will firmly advance the cause of China’s reunification and work with our fellow Chinese in Taiwan to realize the glorious cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Li said.
Taiwan’s defense ministry has stated that it is also planning to bolster its spending due to the “rapidly changing international situation and the escalating threats from adversaries,” the outlet shared.
American Faith reported that China is rapidly advancing its naval capabilities and is planning to construct the world’s largest aircraft carrier, potentially surpassing the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies reveals significant construction activity at China’s Dalian Shipyard, indicating preparations for a new carrier equipped with four catapults, similar to the Ford-class supercarriers.
China has also begun construction on an extensive underground military command center near Beijing as part of its strategy to enhance its military infrastructure. Previous projects include the “Underground Great Wall,” a 5,000-kilometer network of tunnels housing nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, and an underground submarine base on Hainan Island.
According to the 2024 “China Threat Snapshot,” there were more than 55 Chinese Communist Party-related espionage cases in 20 U.S. between January 2021 and October 2024. Between 2000 and 2023, there were 224 reported incidents of CCP-linked espionage.
