China’s Defense Budget Climbs 6.8% as Economy Recovers

  • Increase in military spending is the biggest in two years
  • Country’s economy has been rebounding from the pandemic
Li Keqiang , left, reads his work report during the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5.Photographer: Leo Ramirez/AFP/Getty Images
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China projected defense spending growth of 6.8% this year, the largest gain since 2019, amid tensions with the U.S. and key neighbors.