U.S. President Donald Trump is proposing a large boost in military spending, 54 billion dollars, as part of his first federal budget blueprint, which includes “an historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States for America.”

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.

According to Reuters, U.S. defense spending has dipped in recent years as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wound down. The proposed budget calls for a 10 percent increase for the military, bringing total defense spending to $603 billion a year.

Even without the proposed increase, the U.S. spends far more on defense than any other country. China spends the second most on defense, followed by Russia.

The White House said the increased defense spending would be used to boost troop numbers and buy more airplanes and ships. Trump administration officials said the military will focus more on hotspots including the Straits of Hormuz near Iran and in the South China Sea.

China was urging the Trump administration to act responsibly.

“We hope that the relevant U.S. policies and measures will be beneficial to maintaining global peace and stability and push forth development and prosperity. China has always advocated joint, comprehensive cooperation as our security principle. We are willing to work together with the countries of the world to realize this security principle,” said Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman.

Trump’s budget would pay for the increased defense spending by cutting domestic programs and foreign aid.

Congress ultimately decides on the budget so Trump’s proposals probably won’t go through without major changes, but this proposed budget makes clear that Trump aims to have a bigger and likely bolder military presence around the world.

Chart by Graphiq.