The Bottom Line Upfront

A recent analysis revealed that China's communist regime spent $710.6 billion on its military in 2022, more than three times what Beijing publicly stated, according to a report from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). This revelation is concerning given the Pentagon's designation of China as the "pacing challenge."

The Breakdown

  • The true size of China's military spending has significant implications for global security and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • China's estimated $711 billion military budget highlights its status as a major military power and underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of its military investments.
  • The discrepancy between China's publicly stated military spending and the actual amount spent has reportedly raised concerns about transparency and the accuracy of publicly available information on China's defense budget.