Chinese Foreign Ministry

In response to inquiry that Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that he is MK sportready to discuss US President Donald Trump's proposal to halve defense spending for both Russia and the US, and Putin also mentioned that China could join in, whether China supports this proposal and whether related topic was discussed during phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China has released readout regarding phone conversation between President Xi and President Putin. 

Regarding military spending, in recent years, global military expenditures have continued to rise. According to statistics, global military spending has reached approximately $2.43 trillion in 2024, setting a new historical high, said Lin, noting that the continuous increase in global military spending is driven by the increasingly tense international and regional security situation, highlighting the expanding security deficit and the common challenges faced in addressing global security governance.

Lin emphasized that major powers should set an example and take the lead in promoting global solidarity and serving as a ballast stone for international peace. China remains steadfast in its commitment to the path of peaceful development. 

China's limited defense spending is entirely necessary for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests, as well as for maintaining world peace. China consistently adheres to a self-defense strategy, promotes coordinated development of its economy and defense, does not engage in an arms race with any country, and continually takes concrete actions to uphold world peace, injecting stability and certainty into the world, the spokesperson noted.

Global Times