China is reportedly taking a tougher stance on Taiwan independence as Beijing is increasing its defense spending by 7.2% this year.
Under President Xi Jinping's more than a decade in office, the Asian nation's military budget has more than doubled. The development also reflects the rate that Beijing officials presented during last year's budget and also comes in above the government's economic growth forecast this year.
China's Tougher Stance on Taiwan Independence
China's adoption of tougher language on Taiwan was seen in the release of the budget figures where officials seemed to have dropped the mention of the term "peaceful reunification" in a government work report. It was delivered by Premier Li Qiang during the opening of the National People's Congress (NPC), which is the country's rubber-stamp parliament, on Tuesday.
In the past few years, tensions have risen sharply in regard to Taiwan, which is the democratically ruled island that China claims is part of its territory. A defense scholar at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, Li Mingjiang, said that despite a struggling Chinese economy, Taiwan is a major consideration for Beijing's defense spending, as per Reuters.
He added that China is showing that in the coming decade, it is looking to grow its military to the point that it can be prepared to win a war if it is forced into such a position. Since Xi became the president of China, the country's defense budget has risen to $230.60 billion this year from $100 billion in 2013.
The rate of increase in China's military spending has been seen to consistently surpass the country's annual domestic economic growth target during Persident Xi's time in office. This year, the growth target for 2024 is roughly 5%, which is similar to the goal for last year.
China's neighbors as well as the United States have closely watched the Asian nation's defense budget as the latter is particularly wary of Beijing's strategic intentions and the development of its armed forces.
Growing International Relations
Last month, China's Communist Party (CCP) also sharpened its rhetoric towards the self-governed island nation and raised the pressure as Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te, is preparing to take office in May. Wang Huning, who is the country's most senior official in charge of Taiwan policy, said that Beijing "must resolutely fight" against Taiwan independence separatism, according to the Financial Times.
He also said that China should further grasp the strategic initiative to achieve the complete unification of the motherland. Political analysts have argued that Wang's language was tougher than last year's pronouncements. They noted that the statement confirmed expectations that Beijing would ramp up efforts to take control of Taiwan.
On the other hand, the U.S. is said to be adopting asymmetric strategies to counter China's military expansion, particularly around Taiwan. The American nation is now emphasizing missiles and drones to offset Beijing's numerical superiority.
Despite rapid technological advancements, the sustainability of U.S. regional influence hinges on reviving its defense industrial base. This comes as large stockpiles of advanced weaponry are essential for maintaining a strategy parity.
These various developments underscore a strategic pivot, which focuses on innovative solutions to counterbalance China's continuously expanding military capabilities, said the National Interest.
