The public line out of Beijing has always been simple: China’s military is for the defense of the homeland.
The reality, however, may be more complicated. Newly released leaked U.S. diplomatic cables claim China is probably hiding both the size of its military buildup, as well as, on occasion, its intentions.
Australia’s national intelligence agency conducted a strategic assessment of China’s military spending, and concluded that the communist countries military buildup “threatens regional stability,” reports the Australian daily The Age.
A leaked cable states that the agency found that China spent $90 billion on its military in 2006 – double the $45 billion budget publicly announced by Beijing, The Age reports.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING.
Your subscription is important and supports our editorial integrity and our 100% veteran writing team. Advertisers these days are afraid of being associated with controversial news outlets, like us, that take a stand. Your subscription is vital to ensuring we can continue to publish the courageous apolitical news we are known and respected for as former combat veterans.
Subscribe or login