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China is stepping up efforts to modernize its military.
With a stated aim of becoming a "digital military" power,... Beijing is expected to pour a third
of its defense budget into developing and purchasing new weapons.
However,... as Kim Min-ji tells us... the move is expected to further increase military
tension between the U.S. and China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Type 052D destroyers -- a class of guided missile,... Type 054A frigates -- a class
of multi-role warship,... and nuclear submarines. These are just some of the most up-to-date
weapons China plans to buy or build this year.
According to British military journal Jane's Defence Weekly,... China is expected to spend
37-point-5 billion U.S. dollars purchasing and developing new weapons this year.
This is roughly 30-percent of China's defense budget.
In line with plans to modernize its Air Force, China will purchase combat aircraft to enhance
its counter-air ability. Earlier this month, China said it would increase
its military budget by over 12 percent this year,... to almost 132-billion dollars.
"With the introduction of modern combat aircraft,... China will be able to enhance its counter-ability
in case of collusion with enemy forces."
China's move is seen to be spurred by its territorial dispute with Japan in the East
China Sea. China also wants to become the dominant military
presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The country's defense budget is currently
second only to the United States. Experts say China's investment in new weapons
will help transform it into a "digital military" that meets the levels of the U.S. and Japan.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.