Are We Underestimating China's Defense Budget?

The Moscow-Beijing Axis -- Washington Free Beacon

Su-35 Purchase Raises Questions About China’s Defense Spending, Threat to Taiwan

Beijing

Reports of a Chinese purchase of advanced Russian fighter aircraft are raising new questions about the true levels of defense spending in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), while also highlighting concerns about the military standing of Taiwan in a potential cross-strait conflict.

The Chinese government announced prior to last month’s National People’s Congress that PRC defense spending would increase another 11.2 per cent in 2012 to 670 billion yuan (U.S. $106 billion).

This is a “minuscule” fraction of the nation’s economy, some diplomats and intelligence officers said.

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My Comment: China's defense budget IS higher than what is being reported .... and future trends indicate even greater expenditures. Why the downplaying of the Chinese defense budget .... my guess is that many do not want the true figures revealed .... for if the true figures were revealed, we will then start having a debate and analysis on what is our China policy .... and how should we change it to deflect/contain China's military/political goals .... a debate that I can guarantee you many in Washington and in Asia do not want to entertain right now.