China recently announced a projected 10.7% increase in defense spending for 2013, prompting a new round of commentary in the Western and regional press concerning the intent behind China’s robust military modernization program and Beijing’s ultimate military ambitions. The panel will aim to get behind the headlines with a deeper examination of the trendlines in Chinese defense spending and in the level of transparency in China’s official defense budget. The session also will explore the role of steady increases in Chinese defense expenditure in shaping the narrative on regional security dynamics.