China will keep up a “reasonable and appropriate” increase in defense spending to satisfy its national security and military reforms, a government spokesman said on Monday, ahead of the release of its defense budget.
China’s spending on armed forces is closely watched in Asia and Washington for pointers to its broader strategic intentions amid an impressive modernization program that has developed stealth fighters, aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles.
In 2018, China unveiled its largest defense spending increase in three years, setting an 8.1 percent growth target for the year.
