China and Trump factor will heat up Asia-Pacific arms race, observers warn

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

62% : But Hardy-Chartrand argued Trump is the biggest wild card in the region this year.
51% : It said despite anti-corruption probes into many top commanders, China had continued to build a global military and a world-class defence industrial base with robust nuclear forces.
45% : But she said Trump was not the key factor, noting Japan increased its defence budget by 7.5 per cent last year as well.
43% : Ni Lexiong, a Shanghai-based military analyst, said Trump had repeatedly demanded that US allies and partners boost military spending to counter Russia and China.
36% : "[Trump] has yet to define what his China policy will look like beyond tariffs...
29% : On the one hand, Trump has signalled potentially less support for Taiwan, while on the other hand nominating China hawks at key posts in his incoming administration, including [China sanctioned Florida senator]

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