Major budget boost expected for Chinese military
The PLA has been modernised considerably in recent decades but it is not 'spiritually equipped' for Xi's 'Chinese Dream Army', analysts say
A substantial increase in the military's budget is likely to be announced at the National People's Congress to support the "Chinese Dream Army" envisaged by President Xi Jinping, military analysts say.
The People's Liberation Army has been modernised in the past two decades, but still has some way to go before it becomes the capable "Modern Red Army" of Xi's ambitions, the analysts say.
"I think the NPC is likely to announce growth close to 20 per cent in the military budget because Xi recently stressed that all military officials should rely on their salaries for income," Hong Kong-based military observer Leung Kwok-leung said.
"That means the PLA needs a bigger budget for pay rises in the coming year."
Pay rises are effective morale boosters, said Macau-based military analyst Antony Wong Dong.
"Besides basic salaries, all officers enjoy considerable subsidies depending on their rank and position. That part will not be cut despite the ongoing anti-graft campaign," Wong said.