China will boost its defence spending by 7.2% this year, fuelling a military budget that has more than doubled under President Xi Jinping’s 11 years in office as Beijing hardens its stance on Taiwan, according to official reports on Tuesday.

China also officially adopted tougher language against Taiwan as it released the budget figures, dropping the mention of “peaceful reunification” in a government report delivered by Premier Li Qiang at the opening of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s rubber-stamp parliament, on Tuesday.

    • boyi@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      0·
      9 months ago

      There is strong chance of some countries going to war to save Taiwan, I am afraid. Most definitely an alliance this time and for sure Australia will be in it. Not exactly because they they want to save Taiwan, but because they want to maintain their hegemonic status quo on the region. They can’t afford to lose their influence there, as East Asian region is too important in securing their domestic (economic) and national interest.

      China is buying time. China knows they will lose their gound if they get in now as they are not ready militarily. But, one day they will strike.

      • Deceptichum@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        9 months ago

        Mate we’re literally losing our influence day-by-day. China is buying out nations we’ve had positive relations with and propping up lil’ dictators all over Oceania.

        The only saving grace we have in all this is Chinas such a dick to many of its neighbours that they don’t want a bar of them.