China Responds to U.S. Military Spending Increase in NDAA, Denounces "Hegemony"

Zhang Xiaogang, a representative of China's Ministry of National Defense, expressed significant discontent regarding the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025. He accused the U.S. of using the purported "China military threat" as a pretext to bolster its military budget, which is set to reach $895 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, thus interfering in China's internal matters and jeopardizing global peace.

Zhang articulated that the U.S. is exhibiting signs of anxiety over its own capabilities, rather than any genuine threat from China. He asserted that China has no intention of challenging other nations, stating that the greatest challenges to U.S. security derive from its internal decisions. Emphasizing that the U.S. military spending has long been the highest in the world and continues to rise, he claimed this reveals the aggressive tendencies of the U.S. and its fixation on maintaining dominance.

Moreover, Zhang illustrated the severity of wars instigated by U.S. policies since 2001, noting the vast human toll, including hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions displaced. He reiterated that while China pursues a pathway of peaceful development, the U.S.’s approach often leads to self-inflicted challenges and conflicts.

Pointing out that the world can accommodate both nations for mutual growth, Zhang reiterated China’s defense policy is inherently defensive and that it does not seek an arms race. He urged the U.S. to shed its Cold War mentality and refrain from attempts to contain or outdo China, warning that such behaviors could damage bilateral and military relations between the two nations.

Zhang further addressed the recently activated U.S. Space Force unit in Japan, which is aimed at enhancing space surveillance in light of perceived threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. He criticized the U.S. for expanding its military presence in space, which he suggested might instigate an arms race and threaten global strategic stability.

In conclusion, Zhang called for the peaceful use of space, opposing its weaponization and militarization, and urged the U.S. to reconsider its provocative actions, encouraging a collaborative approach to ensure lasting peace and security in space.