Admiral Aquilino’s Concerns: China’s Rising Defense Spending and Priorities in the Region

During a press conference in Tokyo, Admiral John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expressed his concerns about China’s increase in defense spending. He questioned the accuracy of China’s official growth rates and emphasized that China was investing significantly more in its military than the 7.2% increase that was reported last month.

Despite these concerns, Aquilino acknowledged that there were economic challenges facing China, particularly due to issues in the real estate sector. However, he noted that there was a deliberate choice by China to prioritize funding for military capabilities over addressing these challenges.

Aquilino also criticized China’s aggressive behavior and rhetoric in areas like the South and East China Seas, as well as concerning developments around disputed territories like the Second Thomas Shoal and Taiwan. He expressed unease over these actions and highlighted their impact on regional stability.

In addition to his comments on China, Aquilino also condemned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime for prioritizing military spending over addressing food shortages in the country. He labeled this decision as “disgusting” and pointed out that despite sanctions and economic challenges, the North Korean regime was allocating resources towards military capabilities instead of meeting the basic needs of its people.

The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately provide a comment on Aquilino’s statements. However, his remarks shed light on the complexities of military spending and priorities in the region and raised questions about the balance between defense needs and addressing pressing economic and humanitarian issues.