Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed on Wednesday that China remains committed to advancing reunification with Taiwan while opposing external interference, emphasizing cooperation with Taiwanese citizens to achieve national rejuvenation.
“We will firmly advance the cause of China’s reunification and work with our fellow Chinese in Taiwan to realize the glorious rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Li stated in his annual work report to China’s parliament.
China increases military spending amid rising tensions
Beijing has significantly intensified its military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, conducting multiple large-scale war games around the island. Despite opposition from Taipei, China claims the self-governed territory as part of its own and continues to push for unification.
On Wednesday, China announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for 2025, matching last year’s growth. This expansion aligns with the country’s broader efforts to modernize its armed forces amid escalating strategic competition with the United States. China’s military budget has consistently risen for decades, roughly keeping pace with economic growth.
While China maintains the world’s second-largest defense budget, it still trails far behind the United States. Beijing’s 2025 defense allocation of 1.78 trillion yuan ($245.7 billion) is less than a third of Washington’s military expenditure. However, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) surpasses the U.S. military in personnel numbers.
China’s defense spending in 2024 accounted for 1.6% of its GDP, significantly lower than the percentages spent by the United States or Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Despite this, China’s expanding military capabilities have raised concerns among Washington and regional powers like Japan, which has ongoing territorial disputes with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has also ramped up its defense budget, strengthening security ties with the U.S. and increasing purchases of American weaponry to bolster its military readiness.
