This amount was announced at the National People's Congress. [As AP News notes](https://apnews.com/article/china-defense-budget-taiwan-4ac7cbdc7d5b889732cd55916ff7eb36?taid=67c7bd424dd8e2000154774c&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter), is simply a continuation of China's existing policies to strengthen the People's Liberation Army. It is besides worth noting that the amount of $245 billion** may not be a real value, and the Chinese authorities may deliberately underestimate it. According to the Pentagon, arms spending** can be up to 40% higher than the declared sum**.