China rejects Trump’s 50 per cent defence cut proposal, says military spending ensures sovereignty

China has indicated it will not join in a proposed 50 percent reduction in defence budgets by the United States, Russia and itself. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson asserted that its “limited” defence spending is necessary to protect its national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Responding to the proposal that was put forth earlier this month, the spokesperson emphasized that China’s current defense expenditures are justified by its need to maintain both domestic security and contribute to global peace.

Media reports quoted Trump as saying on February 13 “one of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia. And I want to say: ‘Let’s cut our military budget in half’.

More from World

China's ‘Two Sessions’ to focus on economy, US tariffs, and military spending As Trump resets world trade order, Xi likely to unveil China stimulus plan this week

“And we can do that. And I think we’ll be able to do it,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his reaction on Monday, termed it as a good idea.

“I think it’s a good idea. The US would cut by 50 per cent and we would cut by 50 per cent and then China would join, if it wanted,” Putin was quoted as saying in a television interview.

Asked for his reaction to Trump and Putin’s comments, Lin told a media briefing here that China is committed to peaceful development but its “limited” defence spending is to defend its sovereignty and development interests.

Quick Reads

View All

US changing its nuclear playbook? States offered deals to host radioactive waste: Report

‘America will not become a nation of renters’: Trump blames Biden for soaring housing prices in US

“China upholds a self-defence strategy, pursues coordinated development between its economy and national defence, and never engages in any arms race with any country”, he said adding that Beijing has worked for world peace through concrete actions and injected stability and certainty to the world.

China, which is the second largest spender on defence after the US, last year increased its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to about USD 232 billion (1.67 trillion Yuan) as it continues with the massive modernisation of its military of all its armed forces.

Speculation is rife that Beijing may increase its defence spending this year too amid Trump’s assertion to further ramp up the US military.

Lin said global defence spending reached an all-time high last year. “According to statistics, the global defence spending of 2024 is about USD 2.43 trillion, an all-time high. Behind the steady rise in global defence spending is increasingly tense international and regional security situation and growing security deficit,” he said.

“All parties face the common challenge of global security governance. The international community, especially major countries, must take the lead in serving as a propeller for global solidarity and an anchor for world peace,” he said.

Putin backs Trump’s proposal to slash defence budgets by half

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday backed a suggestion by US counterpart Donald Trump for Russia, the United States and China to all cut their defence budgets in half.

“I think it’s a good idea. The US would cut by 50 per cent and we would cut by 50 per cent and then China would join if it wanted,” Putin said in a televised interview.

Russia has massively ramped up military spending since launching its offensive in Ukraine in 2022, boosting economic growth but also inflation. Vladimir Putin said last year that by 2024 defence and security spending would reach about 8.7 per cent of the GDP.

He said Monday he could not speak for China but that Russia “could come to an agreement with the US (on cutting spending), we’re not against it.”

With inputs from agencies