By Peter Landers
TOKYO--The U.S. military commander in the Indo-Pacific said he didn't believe the economic growth figures reported by China and described the country's economy as failing.
Adm. John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke at a briefing with reporters in Tokyo.
He said China's economy "has drastically been reduced" because of a "real-estate market crash."
According to Beijing's official numbers released last week, the economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. Aquilino described the figure as "not real."
"You go ask any economist if the Chinese are going to deliver 5.3% growth, and they will tell you, 'No way,' " Aquilino said.
He said he also didn't believe the official figures about China's defense budget, which is set to rise 7.2% this year according to a draft budget report issued in March at the opening of the Chinese legislature's annual session. "I think it's drastically more than that," Aquilino said.
"Despite a failing economy, there's a conscious decision to fund military capability. That's concerning to me," he said.
Write to Peter Lander at peter.landers@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-23-24 0033ET
