China’s defence budget is one of the largest in the world, second only to the US. In addition, China has a rapidly expanding presence in the international arms export market. The Chinese defence budget is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.90% during the forecast period. While the Chinese defence budget will grow at a faster rate than the US defence budget growth during the forecast period, the Chinese defence budget will still be considerably smaller than the US defence budget in 2016 (reference see figure 12 to the right).
China has the largest defence budget in Asia, and has the second-largest defence budget in the world. Due to the US and Western European countries imposing an arms embargo on China following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, China has sought to procure advanced defence equipment by establishing a domestic, self-reliant, profit-making defence industry. China’s budget grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.86% during the review period (2005–2010), which was fuelled by the nation’s desire to become a global superpower, containing a strong economy and superior military force which can rival that of the United States. China’s defence industry has also benefited from the country’s strong economic growth, which has enabled large sums to be allocated for its defence industry.
Although the US currently dominates the world’s political, military and cultural outlook, China aims to emerge as one of the world’s largest economic powers and threaten the US’s military and economic supremacy. As such, the country has focused on modernizing its defence capabilities through the acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, significant investments in its domestic industrial technology, and upgrading its strategic nuclear force. As such, China’s defence expenditure grew at a CAGR of 20.86% during the review period, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.90% during the forecast period.
China has instigated a military modernization program, which focuses on developing its navy, air defence systems, missile defence systems, C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) capabilities and surveillance equipment. This program will continue throughout the forecast period with China raising its defence capital expenditure allocation from 34% of the total defence budget in 2010 to 39% in 2016.
Rising internal threats, alongside increased criminal activity, pose a security risk to Chinese homeland security. To address these risks, China is expected to spend a similar amount on homeland security as it does for external defence in 2011. The spending on homeland security aims to reduce criminal activity, riots, illegal immigration, illicit drug trading and human trafficking in the country. As Chinese homeland security is threatened by the protests and criminal activity of separatist groups from Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang, a substantial portion of the nation’s military budget is spent on policing these areas.
China does not have access to advanced military technology developed in Western countries due to the arms embargo placed on the country by the US and European countries following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Despite this several foreign companies have participated in the joint development, assembly and co-production of a variety of civilian products with Chinese companies, which have the potential to be used by the defence industry. As such, China has integrated its civil and military industries, which enables civilian technology to be utilized for defence products and vice versa.
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