China's Military Modernization and Search for Power

The consequences of the modernisation of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) military forces over the last three decades have created challenges for the Asia-Pacific. Chinese forces have experienced cumulative improvements in their capabilities. Modernisation begins with doctrinal and strategic changes and continues with organisational transformation and, simultaneously, equipment acquisitions. China has pursued all these elements simultaneously, albeit unevenly. For decades, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was wedded to a ‘People’s War’, which emphasised “active defence”, as originally conceived by Mao Tse-tung. The PLA has since moved away from “active defence” to an emphasis on “military art” and “operations” [campaigns]. China’s military modernisation also focuses on sustaining operations beyond the country. One example is its Djibouti military base. It is also likely to create additional bases in friendly countries such as Pakistan. Its air force, army and navy are being developed for offensive and long-distance operations. China clearly complicates U.S. defense planning in Asia, says CFR’s Senior Fellow for China Studies, Adam Segal. The Pentagon’s 2008 report to Congress states: "Current trends in China’s military capabilities are a major factor in changing East Asian military balances, and could provide China with a force capable of prosecuting a range of military operations in Asia-well beyond Taiwan." Most countries in the region have some degree of caution in their relationship with China, says James Mulvenon, director of Washington-based Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis. However, none of them, he adds, want to engage in any form of containment policy with the United States. Meanwhile, though China is wary of U.S. military presence close to its border, its troubles with Uighurs has led it to support U.S. military actions inside Afghanistan, say experts. Although China faces both internal and outside constraints on its rise to global eminence, it cannot be denied that China's government is pursuing a far-reaching strategic schedule.