China has sent shockwaves through global politics by outright rejecting a bold defense spending proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The stunning refusal comes as Trump pushes for drastic military budget cuts and a renewed push for denuclearization talks between the three superpowers.
LeakXtra reached out to both the Russian foreign ministry and the White House for comment on China’s unexpected move.
The Proposal That Rocked Global Politics
Putin, in a televised statement, embraced the idea and left the door open for Beijing to participate, saying China “would join if it wanted.” But Beijing’s response was swift and clear: They won’t be part of it.
China’s Defiant Response
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the proposal on Tuesday, reaffirming Beijing’s stance on military expenditures.
“China never engages in any arms race with any country. It has worked for world peace through concrete actions and brought stability and certainty to the world,” Lin told reporters.
He added that China’s defense budget is strictly aligned with the nation’s security needs, sovereignty concerns, and commitment to maintaining global peace. Instead, Lin suggested that the U.S. and Russia—who together control over 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons—should take the lead in disarmament before expecting other nations to follow suit.
The Numbers Speak Volumes
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), global military spending hit an astronomical $2.46 trillion last year. China’s official 2024 defense budget stands at $236 billion—a 7.2% increase from the previous year. However, some analysts suggest the true figure is much higher, with estimates reaching $711 billion, making it nearly on par with the U.S.’s $850 billion military budget.
Under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has aggressively modernized its People’s Liberation Army, aligning with the goal of transforming it into a world-class military force by 2049—the centennial of Communist Party rule. This rapid military buildup has not gone unnoticed, with the Pentagon labeling China as the United States’ “pacing challenge.”
A Growing Military Standoff
China’s growing military power has triggered a regional arms race, with Japan, India, and Taiwan significantly ramping up their own defense budgets in response to Beijing’s assertiveness.
The IISS noted that “Asian defense budgets continued to grow at a moderate pace in 2024, consistent with their trajectory over the last decade.” The think tank pointed to China’s military expansion and North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons program as key drivers of regional tensions.
What Comes Next?
Trump remains optimistic about his proposal, hinting that talks on military reductions could still take place “once things settle down.”
He has also suggested a potential face-to-face meeting with Putin in the near future, following preliminary discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
However, Ukraine and the European Union remain notably absent from these negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that his country will not accept any peace deal brokered without its direct involvement.
