China spends more on secret police than arms

While on paper this is well below the US’s £700billion spend, low wages and procurement costs mean in reality China is catching up.

- Marco Giannangeli

CHINA puts more money into oppressing its people than it spends on defence, figures reveal.

“Chilling” control measures range from well-paid human informants and facial-recognition cameras, to sophisticated AI and a controversial Social Credit System.

One analyst suggested last night that Chinese premier Xi Jinping fears a backlash as he grapples with a series of challenges that could see the ruling CCP swept from power.

As tension mounts over Xi’s ambitions in Taiwan and the South China Sea, China’s military spending has hit a record £163billion.

While on paper this is well below the US’s £700billion spend, low wages and procurement costs mean in reality China is catching up.

Meanwhile at home, China spends at least seven per cent more (£175billion) on what it euphemistically calls “public safety”.