Shanahan opens budget hearing with China warning

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan today said the Pentagon needs a $718 billion budget in fiscal year 2020, partly to address new military investments being made by China.

"China's defense spending approaches that of the United States, when we take into account purchasing power and the portion of our budget going to military pay and benefits," he told the Senate Armed Services Committee in prepared testimony. "That, coupled with China's organized approach to steal foreign technology, has allowed China to modernize its missile, space, and cyber capabilities, as well as project power far beyond its borders."

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