[Gathering6678]

"it is spending about $700 billion"

Where is the number from? Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates China's military expenditure in 2022 to be $292.0 billion, trailing $877.0 billion of US. (source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_China))

There are not a lot more numbers (let alone numbers with sources) in the article. China has a lot of EV batteries because it is leading in promoting EV usage. It stockpiles a lot of agricultural products because, well, there are a lot of mouths to feed.

[woooooo]

Once you realize the goal of these articles is to funnel US money into defense spending, they make a lot more sense.

[more_corn]

I think the author genuinely thinks that China plans to invade Taiwan in 2027 (since they’ve said that) and if so the current massive buildup in commodities stocks are preparation for the invasion.

[woooooo]

There's an interesting good faith discussion in handicapping that possibility. It sounds crazy, but so did Ukraine, and Xi has done some crazy stuff lately.

I'm saying that articles like this aren't in good faith. More fear = more funding. It doesn't matter what the author believes, they can always find a different author.

[csomar]

The $700bn seems to be adjusted for power purchase parity.