China to hike defence budget by 8.1% in 2018

China plans to give a boost to its military budget by increasing its defence spending by 8.1 percent this year.

The outlay was presented to the National People's Congress with a seven percent increase last year and 7.6 percent in 2016 which marked the first time in six years that spending growth had not risen into double figures.

China has been consistently raising its defence spending in a bid to make up for past deficiencies. 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is eyeing to beef up the country's nuclear prowess to counter the growing strength of China and Russia. 

The Trump administration has proposed a military budget that is the largest since 2011.