ChiCom Military Spending Going Up

As part of its ongoing efforts to modernize its military forces and expand their regional (and global) reach, Beijing has announced that their official military budget is going up 18% this year, to $59b. I say 'official' because it is generally assumed that the actual budget is two to three times larger.

The ChiComs are focusing on the same areas they have been for the last few years: a blue water navy, a more modern air force, the expansion of asymmetrical warfare capabilities, including infowar and space warfare and the further development of forces aimed at intimidating (and possibly invading) Taiwan. It must also be looking at enhancing its ability to send small to medium sized expeditionary forces abroad, mostly focused on Africa. With the increasing focus China has on Africa as a source of resources and a market, they will need to ability to protect their investments, so to speak.

(Source: BBC)