China 'prepares for war' by unveiling massive £185bn defense budget

Chinese government spokesman Wang Chao did not say whether the rate of increase announced Sunday at the opening of the annual session of National People's Congress in Beijing would be above or below last year's 7.1%

Chinese President Xi Jinping (

Image: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)

Increases in China's defense budget have been implemented to "prepare for war" amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

A colossal £185 billion has been earmarked for defense spending this year, outgoing Premier Li Keqiang told the National People's Congress when presenting the country's annual work report this week last.

Li, 67, one of China's most powerful men - second only to President Xi Jinping - urged the party to "comprehensively strengthen training in preparation for war".

This comes amid fears that China could strike Taiwan at any time, over its historic claims to the self-governing island.

He said China should seek a "peaceful development" of relations to facilitate its goal of reunification, but maintained the party line, stressing that Beijing remained resolute against any whiff of Taiwanese independence.

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Government spokesman Wang Chao did not say whether the rate of increase announced Sunday at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing would be higher or lower than the 7.1 % of last year

Chinese troops during a training operation in Guangxi province in February (

Picture:

Future publication via Getty Images)

But he said the defense budget remained stable as a percentage of GDP and that China's military modernization "will not pose a threat to any country".

"On the contrary, it will only be a positive force to safeguard regional stability and world peace," Wang told reporters at a press conference.

"Increased defense spending is necessary to meet...