China’s 2016 defense spending to be set at NPC

World Today

Over the last two decades, China’s defense spending has usually increased every year by double digits. There were exceptions. In 2010, it only went up 7.5 percent.

CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg reports from Washington.

More details:

  • The official figures won’t be released until the budget is approved at this year’s National People’s Congress.
  • The U.S. and China have each accused the other of militarizing the dispute over the South China Sea.
  • Compared to the U.S., China spends four times less on its military, even though it has four times as many people.
  • China’s 2016 budget spending is still an increase, but many were expecting more, given the South China Sea tensions, and the recent developments in the DPRK.