China’s defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, according to an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday. China has the world’s second-largest military budget, but lags well behind the United States, its primary strategic rival. Beijing will spend 1.78 trillion yuan ($245.7 billion) on defence this year, still less than a third of Washington’s budget, according to a government report. The new defence budget hike reflects China’s growing regional presence and its unification policy with Taiwan.
