China has confirmed a 7% rise in its national defense budget for 2026, marking the 11th consecutive year of single-digit growth. The total allocation will reach approximately 1.9 trillion yuan ($275 billion), aimed at strengthening national security, modernizing military equipment, and supporting personnel welfare, experts said.
Chinese military analysts described the increase as reasonable and moderate, considering economic growth, national defense needs, and the complex regional security environment. Funding will cover daily operations, training, maintenance of advanced weaponry, and modernization programs, including upgrades in naval, air, and strategic missile systems.
Over the past year, China made significant progress in defense modernization, including commissioning the Fujian aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults, deploying hypersonic missiles, advanced drones, and enhancing nuclear triad capabilities. Officials emphasized that defense spending remains proportional to GDP while maintaining China’s commitment to regional and global peace.
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