China will only present the new defense budget at the annual meeting of the People's Congress. But it is already clear that military spending will increase significantly. Meanwhile, Beijing is promoting further expansion of relations with the EU.
China has defended the sharp increase in its military spending. "Behind the growth in defense spending is not only the need to address complex security challenges, but also the need to shoulder responsibilities as a great power," said the spokesman for the annual session of the People's Congress in Beijing, which begins Sunday. China's defense budget has always risen faster than other budget spending in recent years - by 7.1 percent in the previous year. The increase was also higher than the economic growth rate of the second largest economy.
Experts from the China Institute Merics in Berlin are expecting growth of more than seven percent again this year. The conference spokesman did not give any new figures, but announced that the new military budget would be presented at the beginning of the parliamentary session. "China's military modernization is not a threat to other countries, but a positive force in maintaining regional stability and world peace," the spokesman said. In view of increasing Chinese threats against the democratic island republic of Taiwan, China's territorial claims in the East and South China Seas and increased rivalry with the USA, the increased expansion of the Chinese armed forces is viewed with concern worldwide.
The conference speaker also spoke about the relationship with the European Union. Accordingly, despite the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, China sees "no fundamental strategic differences and conflicts" with the EU. Rather, the spokesman emphasized the similarities and spoke out in favor of expanding relations and economic cooperation. China sees Europe as a "comprehensive strategic partner".
Given the different history, culture, development and ideology, it is only normal to have "different views on some issues," the spokesman said. The speaker did not go into the Ukraine war. Since the invasion a year ago, China's leadership has backed Russian President Vladimir Putin politically, portraying the US and NATO as the real perpetrators of the conflict, a move Europe has denied. Together with Europe, China wants to advance political solutions for international and regional trouble spots, the spokesman said only vaguely.
A week ago, China presented a position paper on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which disappointed internationally because it showed no new initiative for a peace solution. Nor was it apparent that China intends to use its influence on Russia to end the war. Some people portrayed Europe and China as "systemic rivals" and spoke of a "Chinese threat," the spokesman lamented. Behind it was a "Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices". "It is not consistent with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides."
The annual session of the People's Congress begins on Sunday and lasts until March 13. The nearly 3,000 delegates will also approve a far-reaching reform of the government that only takes place every ten years. Head of state and party leader Xi Jinping, who had already united all power at the party congress in October, is to be confirmed as president for an unprecedented third term.
