中国の軍事費が2013年の1392億ドルから2014年には1480億ドルに増大する見込みだ。人民解放軍は軍事費の割りには戦闘能力が低い、という評価はあるが、戦争する気満々の国がすぐ隣にあることを忘れるべきではないだろう。
China to Ramp Up Military Spending
One military analyst, Ian Easton of the Project 2049 Institute in Arlington, Virginia, believes that China’s military is far less capable than its large military budget would suggest. Last month he wrote that the P.L.A. probably wouldn’t be able to effectively attack Taiwan – the prosperous, self-ruled island claimed by the mainland. In addition, Chinese troops lack real combat experience and some of the P.L.A.’s marquee projects, including the aircraft carrier, are plagued by technical problems.