Video On Demand

China Reality Check Series: China's Defense Budget

April 8, 2013 • 2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT

Dr. Andrew S. Erickson
Associate in Research, John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University

With commentary by:
Dr. James Mulvenon
Vice-President, Intelligence Division; Director, Center for Intelligence and Research Analysis, Defense Group, Inc.
 
&
 
Jack Georgieff
CSIS Visiting Scholar, Lowy Institute
 
Moderated by:
Christopher K. Johnson
CSIS Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair, Freeman Chair in China Studies

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.