China's defense budget maintains single-digit growth for six consecutive years

BEIJING - China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on March 5.

This year's planned defense spending will be about 1.35 trillion yuan (about $209 billion), read the draft submitted to the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation.