Xi Jinping: China needs to strengthen its military power through technological development and better ties between the military-industrial complex and the rest of the economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the delegates of the National People’s Congress session.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged China to build up military power through technological innovation and better coordination of the defense industry with the rest of the country’s economy, Bloomberg reported, citing Chinese state media.
He stressed that China needs to intensify measures to achieve independence in the field of high technology. He also spoke about the need to strengthen the sustainability of product supply chains.
Earlier this week, it became known that according to China’s draft budget for the current year, China’s defense spending in 2023 is planned to increase by 7.2% to 1,553.7 billion yuan ($225 billion).
In a previous post, China’s defense spending in 2023 is planned to increase by 7.2% to 1,553.7 billion yuan ($225 billion), according to the country’s draft budget for the current year, presented at the opening session of the NPC.
On Saturday, session spokesman Wang Chao told reporters that « the increase in defense spending is due to the need to respond to the complex security challenges » facing China, as well as to fulfill the country’s « commitments as a major power. »
In 2022, China’s defense budget grew by 7.1%, and in 2021 – by 6.8% year on year.
