Editor's note: China revealed 2025 draft budgets on Wednesday, with about 1.78 trillion yuan ($246 billion) on national defense, up 7.2 percent from last year. Two experts shared their views on the growth rate with China Daily.

Moderate growth despite increasing challenges

With the development of China's national economy, its defense budget has risen accordingly. The increase is not too much and can even be considered restrained.

China's defense spending growth has remained less than 10 percent since 2016. The increase for 2025 is 7.2 percent, the same as last year, which is quite restrained. In recent years, the defense budget increases for countries such as the United States, Japan, and India have been more than 10 percent.

In terms of defense spending as a percentage of GDP, the US defense budget for 2024 was about 3.2 percent of GDP. The US has also urged its allies including Japan, South Korea, and Europe to raise their military spending ratio to 2 percent or higher. China's defense spending has not exceeded 2 percent of GDP for years.

Moreover, with changes in the international environment, China is facing increasing external security threats. The current level of military development cannot be considered sufficient to counter the threats posed by the US-led alliances. To safeguard national security, China has to continue strengthening its defense capabilities.

Additionally, an increase in defense strength does not mean that a country is preparing to launch an attack. China has adhered to the principle of defensive national defense policy. The continuous enhancement of China's defense capabilities is driven by its own economic development and the increasing external turbulence.

Furthermore, defense budgets include not only equipment and training but also personnel living expenses and other items. China is committed to ensuring and improving the treatment and welfare of both active and non-active military personnel.

The improving military capabilities and equipment also enable the Chinese military to more effectively carry out international peacekeeping, maritime escort, and humanitarian rescue missions.

Wang Xiaoxuan is a Beijing-based military expert.