BEIJING: China said on Thursday its defense budget, the world’s second largest after the United States, will increase by seven percent in 2026, in line with expectations but slightly below last year’s. Beijing plans to spend 1.9096 trillion yuan ($276.8 billion) on defense — around three times less than the US military budget. The increase in military spending for the year was announced in a finance ministry budget report that was published on the sidelines of the annual “Two Sessions” political conclave.

Beijing's planned military budget, reported by Reuters, comes amid increased conflict in the Middle East.

BEIJING: China said on Thursday its defense budget, the world’s second largest after the United States, will increase by seven percent in 2026, in line with expectations but…