SpaceWar.com reports: “China announced a seven percent boost to its defence budget for 2026 on Thursday as it steadily increases spending to counter the United States and enforce its claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The latest rise keeps China’s spending at a third of that of the United States, but the Asian power is working to close the gap.

Beijing plans to spend 1.9096 trillion yuan ($276.8 billion) on defence, according to a report published at the opening of the annual ‘Two Sessions’ parliamentary meeting.

Premier Li Qiang told delegates that China will aim to strengthen the military and ‘carry out major defence-related projects’ over the next five years.

Analysts said the budget will finance military salary increases, training, manoeuvres around Taiwan, cyberwarfare capabilities and advanced equipment purchases, among other things, according to the report…”