US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter argued recently for an increase in the defense budget to confront an array of threats facing the US military. The preview of what remains the biggest military budget in the world at $582.7 billion has a clear focus on five challenges: Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and the Islamic State.

The Pentagon will seek $3.4 billion for "more training and exercises … more pre-positioned war-fighting gear and infrastructure improvements" to protect its NATO allies from Russia. However, this will only make Russia feel more insecure.

For Moscow, which already designated NATO's advance toward Russia's borders as a security threat in its New National Security Strategy last year, the Western countries will pose a greater challenge to the nation's defense security following the increased military spending.

By publicizing its intention to maintain a competitive edge over Russia in military terms, the US is provoking Kremlin to take countermeasures.

First of all, Moscow may be triggered to adjust its military planning and deploy more modernized forces to tackle with NATO. While Russia in the past few years has put a lot of efforts in adjusting its military deployment, more focus will be placed on dealing with the threats from the West in the future.

Russia may see increasing investments in exploring new weapons including nuclear technology as well. In addition, the Kremlin will make more efforts to improve its ties with its neighboring countries.

The relationship with Eastern European nations, in particular, is one of the priorities in Kremlin's diplomatic efforts. An eased Russian-Eastern Europe relationship may help counter NATO's expansion. The Kremlin will strive to deal with its domestic economic difficulties as well.

Despite the above, the increased defense budget does not mean a real war is nearing.

In fact, Washington's military investment in Europe will not fundamentally solve its problems.

Although its defense budget is by far the world's largest, the US has intervened too much into the domestic affairs of other nations. The increased defense spending will not save US hegemony from declining.

The Pentagon mentioned the challenges from China as well. The US will not only intensify its presence in the Asia-Pacific region in the near future, but also put more efforts in warming its ties with East Asian allies. While the US will keep strengthening its military clout in the second island chain, its so-called allies will continue to contain China in the first island chain.

Meanwhile, Washington will spare no efforts to incorporate China's neighbors into its alliance system.

Currently, the White House is attempting to drive Vietnam and India over to its side, and is even encouraging Australia to stir up trouble in the South China Sea.

In addition, the US has turned its eyes away from Japan's petty actions in the South China Sea. Backed up by the White House, Japan's future behavior in the region is worth attention.

China should be calm about the increasing challenges from the US. Our domestic development policies should not be influenced by Washington's budget plan.

Instead, the Chinese government ought to strengthen the nation's military influence and develop military equipment on a firm footing. An effective way to prevent a real war is to enhance the country's national and military strength.

Meanwhile, more diplomatic efforts are needed to develop friendly and stable ties with neighboring nations.

Increasing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other Asian nations will help counter the US attempts to sow dissent.

Furthermore, it would be wise for Beijing to make more progresses on issues regarding the international law. China has the determination, capability and diplomatic wisdom to strike against any provocative acts.

The author is an expert from the China International Institute for Strategic Society. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn