China slams US military spending plan, citing threat to global stability

Spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defence Zhang Xiaogang has said that the US defence budget plan, which includes unprecedented allocations for military purposes, could lead to a disruption of the global balance of power.

Xiaogang made these remarks during a briefing, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

"This US proposal escalates the so-called Chinese military threat, justifying increased military spending and the maintenance of hegemony. It grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and threatens global stability. We are firmly dissatisfied with this and strongly oppose it," he noted.

He further emphasised that China has never intended to challenge anyone, adding that the biggest enemy of the US is itself.

"The US ranks first in the world in military spending and continues increasing its investments in the defence industry every year," he noted. "This clearly demonstrates its dependence on war and the true nature of its hegemonic expansion." 

The spokesman also pointed out that since 2001, US-initiated military actions have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of people have been injured, and tens of millions have been forced to leave their houses. 

"US aggressive militarism not only creates chaos around the world but also accelerates global backlash against it," he noted. 

He emphasised that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development, followed a defensive policy, and has not engaged in an arms race with any country.

On December 23, US President Joe Biden approved the country’s defence budget for the 2025 fiscal year (which began on October 1), amounting to $895 billion. China is mentioned 107 times in the document.

By Naila Huseynova