China will increase military spending by more than 7% this year, while warning of "escalating" threats.

It was announced at the National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.

Beijing's military budget - around $225bn (£186bn) - is still dwarfed by that of the United States, which is four times greater.

That’s not good news 

1 hour ago, Scott said:

is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.

Bow to the Emperor (for life)!

One can only hope their weapons are as bad as most of the <deleted> they make.

 

9 hours ago, Credo said:

One can only hope their weapons are as bad as most of the <deleted> they make.

 

Many of their weapons tech was stolen from the Russians. Not quite the innovators found in the West.

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Many of their weapons tech was stolen from the Russians. Not quite the innovators found in the West.

Xi is another Putin waiting in the wings.

Great Scott Scott , thank you for the warning .

Batten down the hatches 

A second off topic trolling post has been removed from the same poster. 

13 hours ago, Credo said:

One can only hope their weapons are as bad as most of the <deleted> they make.

 

I agree with this caveat never ever underestimate the potential enemy the Chinese are organized smart crafty and there’s lots and lots of them 

20 hours ago, Credo said:

One can only hope their weapons are as bad as most of the <deleted> they make.

 

iPhone? 

5 hours ago, Venom said:

iPhone? 

The Chinese factories basically assemble the iPhone. The chips are designed and manufactured elsewhere.

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Xi is another Putin waiting in the wings.

I don't know so much about the waiting part. They've already committed armed aggression against other Asian countries and justify it by claiming that these territories used to belong to the Chinese empire.

China was happy to watch Russia invade Ukraine and gauge the kick-back from EU and western nations.

It has to be very careful if it doesn't want to screw up it's ventures in the west with rail, road and infrastructure projects.

The Silk road is a very important trade link it can't afford to stop.

and so it begins.

Most countries that are not under active threat don't normally increase war spending by that much unless they see a potential use of it, IMO.

19 hours ago, placeholder said:

The Chinese factories basically assemble the iPhone. The chips are designed and manufactured elsewhere.

Taiwan? 

1 hour ago, Venom said:

Taiwan? 

Mostly manufactured in Taiwan, designed in USA.

Edited March 8, 20233 yr by placeholder