China's defense budget has increased in line with its rapid economic development. In accordance with that trend, China's defense budget this year has exceeded 1 trillion yuan ($151 billion) for the first time, but foreign media outlets are using it as an excuse to once again hype up the "China threat" theory, claiming its increasing defense spending is aimed at challenge the existing world order and expanding its power.

Are these media claims true? Let us analyze the People's Liberation Army's contribution to humanitarian relief work, peacekeeping missions and international efforts to thwart piracy before drawing a conclusion.

After the end of the Cold War, the possibility of a destructive war between great powers has declined significantly, but disputes among countries, domestic tensions, terrorist attacks and major natural disasters have become more frequent. Among other things, these developments have forced millions of people to flee their homes and seek asylum in other countries, leading to a humanitarian crisis.