China raises defense spending amid global tensions<br /><br />China announces a 7.2 percent increase in its defense budget, now the world’s second-largest after the United States, totaling about $222 billion. Tensions with the US and other countries are driving China to invest in advanced military technology like stealth fighters and nuclear weapons. However, experts believe the official budget is just a small part of China's overall military spending when research, development, and foreign weapons purchases are included.<br /><br />Photos by AP <br /><br />Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe <br />Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net <br /> <br />Follow us: <br />Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook <br />Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram <br />Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter <br />DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion <br /> <br />Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital <br /> <br />Check out our Podcasts: <br />Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify <br />Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts <br />Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic <br />Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer <br />Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein<br /> <br />#TheManilaTimes <br />#worldnews<br />#china<br />#globaltension
