Defense budget hike is not out of the ordinary

China's defense budget has become a lightning rod for those keen to claim there is a threat from China, for whatever reason. This year has been no exception, with the announcement that China's defense budget is to grow by 8.1 percent prompting finger-pointing from the usual suspects.

And apart from labeling it as alarmingly high, some Western observers and media are claiming it reflects China's increasing assertiveness in the East and South China seas.

But although the 2018 defense budget will be 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion), the reality of the matter is the increase, though up from last year's 7 percent, is still relatively low compared with many countries in the world.