China Boosts Defense Spending Amid Military Modernization

China Boosts Defense Spending Amid Military Modernization
China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (R), arrives in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017. Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
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BEIJING—China on Monday unveiled its largest rise in defense spending in three years, setting a target of 8.1 percent growth over 2017, fuelling an ambitious military modernization program amid rising concerns over its security.

The 2018 defense budget will be 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion), according to a report issued at the opening of China’s annual meeting of parliament.