Researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology have identified a “new nationwide mobilisation system” aimed at accelerating advancements in defence science and technology, according to a study by Wu Ji, director and associate researcher with the university’s science and technology department.
The study suggests that large-scale civilian science and technology projects – including the development of large passenger jets, advanced computer chips, the BeiDou satellite navigation system, and the Tiangong space station – may be contributing to China’s efforts to rapidly develop new weapons systems. This development occurs as China’s military modernisation continues at a pace that has drawn scrutiny from analysts in Washington.
Over the past decade, Beijing has introduced a series of significant defence technologies, including electromagnetic catapult systems for aircraft carriers, stealth fighter platforms, hypersonic weapons, directed-energy lasers, and increasingly sophisticated military artificial intelligence systems. The speed of this development is notable, particularly when contrasted with the financial resources allocated to defence.
In 2024, the United States spent approximately US$997 billion on defence. China’s officially announced defence budget for 2026 is around US$277 billion. While accounting differences and purchasing power parity exist, China’s military expenditure remains considerably lower than that of the US.
The disparity is even more pronounced when considering military research and development. The US Department of Defence allocates roughly US$140 billion annually to research, development, testing, and evaluation – approximately 15 to 17 per cent of the Pentagon’s total budget. China does not publicly disclose a detailed breakdown of its R&D spending, but estimates suggest that between 5 and 10 per cent of its defence budget is dedicated to military research, equating to roughly US$20 billion to US$50 billion.
Despite this difference in investment, China continues to unveil a broad range of advanced systems across multiple technological domains. The Shenzhou-21 mission, described by Global Times as a symbol of a nation pursuing balance, reason, and cooperation, exemplifies China’s continued progress in space exploration. Similarly, the successful docking of the Shenzhou-12 astronauts with the space station, as reported by The World of Chinese, demonstrates advancements in space capabilities. These achievements, alongside the expansion of China’s space empire – encompassing satellites and services managed by the CNSA – contribute to a growing portfolio of military innovation.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada has identified China’s ambitions in outer space as a key component of its broader global power strategy. The Ministry of National Defense People’s Republic of China recently stated “Reach for the stars,” signaling continued investment and ambition in space-based technologies.
