Beijing, Mar 5 (EFE).- China in its draft budget presented to the annual National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature, announced on Tuesday that it would raise its annual defense by 7.2 percent this year to 1,665 trillion yuan ($231.352 billion).
The defense budget, which was also increased by 7.2 percent in 2023, has been announced amid tensions in the South China Sea and the focus on Taiwan, an island that Beijing claims as its own.
Tensions have been especially significant with the Philippines, which strengthened its military alliance with Washington to curb China’s expansionist ambitions.
It led to clashes between ships from both countries in recent months, raising concerns about potential armed conflict in the region.
Beijing accuses Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (PDP) of adding fuel to the fire “lit by the separatists” by also increasing its allocation for defense and signing agreements to receive US weapons.
PDF has governed Taiwan for the last eight years and will continue to do so after the win of its candidate in the recent presidential elections.
Chinese premier Li Qiang, while reading the government action report, indicated on Tuesday that China would “resolutely oppose” all ”separatist activities aimed at ‘Taiwan independence'” as well as “external interference” on the island, which has been self-governed since 1949.
“We will promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, be firm in advancing the cause of China’s reunification, and uphold the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation,” he said.
“We will improve the wellbeing of Chinese people on both sides so that together, we can realize the glorious cause of national rejuvenation,” added the Chinese premier.
On the sidelines, Li asserted that China would carry out an “independent” foreign policy and would bet on “peaceful development” based on openness and cooperation.
“We call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and we are committed to promoting a new type of international relations,” he said.
Li added that the country would “fight” against what it considered “hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts” and that it would work with the international community to launch its Global Development Initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Li also indicated that the Asian country would try to promote the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The initiative opposes the use of sanctions on the international stage.
According to experts cited by the pro-government newspaper Global Times, the defense budget sought to cover the needs of the country in a challenging security environment. EFE
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