Chinese Military Modernisation

The phenomenal growth of the Chinese economy and its military might during the later part of the Twentieth Century are the two most significant events with global ramifications. Napoleon’s prophetic words that China was a sleeping giant, which when wakes up will shake the whole world has proved accurate. With its fanatic national fervour, China is all set to achieve its ligitimate place – the Middle Kingdom syndrome – in the emerging multi-polar world order by 2050 AD. The most effective tool to achieve this is the Chinese Armed Forces – the PLA. Historically and traditionally, the centrality of the PLA in China’s internal and external policies has always remained unquestioned. China has recently embarked on a massive systematic programme for the modernization of its Defence Forces. Its short and long term objectives are yet to be assessed. The question now is, will a modernized professional military dance to the tune of the Chinese Communist Party? The impact of China’s Defence modernization on India’s naatioal security would be profound and direct. Are India and China natural rivals? What threats China poses for India? How should India respond to these challenges? This book examines all these and other related issues, which should be of great interest to China watchers.