中国在地区紧张局势中提高国防预算7.2%。 China raises defence budget 7.2% amidst regional tensions.

中国宣布2024年国防开支增加7.2%，达到1.67万亿元人民币（合2306亿美元），位居世界第二，仅次于美国。 China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defense spending for 2024, raising it to 1.67 trillion yuan ($230.60 billion), which is the second-highest in the world after the US. 在此之前，2023 年国防预算增长了 7.2%，且正值与美国、台湾、日本和南海邻国的紧张局势加剧。 This follows a 7.2% rise in 2023's defense budget and comes amidst rising tensions with the US, Taiwan, Japan, and neighbors in the South China Sea. 该预算受到中国邻国和美国的密切关注，他们对北京的战略意图及其武装力量的发展持谨慎态度。 The budget is closely watched by China's neighbors and the US, who are wary about Beijing's strategic intentions and the development of its armed forces.