China’s Military Power

China’s rapid rise as a regional, political and economic power with growing global influence has significant implications for the Asia-Pacific region and the world. The people’s Liberation Army (PLA) is pursuing a comprehensive transformation from a mass army designed for protracted wars of attrition on its territory to one capable of fighting and winning short duration, high-intensity conflicts along its periphery against high-tech adversaries-an approach that China refers to as preparing for “local wars under conditions of informatization”. China’s ability to sustain military power at a distance remains limited, but its armed forces continue to develop and field disruptive military technologies, including those for anti-access/area-denial, as well as for nuclear, space, and cyber warfare, that are changing regional military balances and that have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

The PLA’s modernization vis-à-vis Taiwan has continued over the past years, including its build-up of short-range missiles opposite the island. The PLA is also developing long range capabilities that have implications beyond Taiwan. However, some of these capabilities, as well as other, more disruptive ones, could allow China to project power to ensure access to resources or enforce claims to disputed territories. China publicly asserts that its military modernization is purely defensive in nature and aimed solely at protecting China’s security and interests. Over the past several years, China has begun a new phase of military development by beginning to articulate roles and missions for the PLA that go beyond China’s immediate territorial interests, but has left unclear to the international community the purposes and objectives of the PLA’s evolving doctrine and capabilities. Moreover, China continues to promulgate incomplete defense expenditure figures and engage in actions that appear inconsistent with its declaratory policies. The US continues to work with its allies and friends in the region to monitor these developments and adjust its policies accordingly. The book deeply highlights the military power of China and its strategies.