China's Military Transformation

Overview

The rapid rise of China as a political and economic power with significant and growing global influence has major implications not only for Northeast Asia but the world at large. The international community welcomes the rise of a stable and prosperous China, able to take on a leadership role in Asia for the stability of regional peace and security. China has played a proactive role in fostering security ties with a number of Asian countries in recent years as well as investing in multilateral institutions. However, uncertainty surrounds China's continued expansion and transformation of its military forces.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is currently the world's largest military with an estimated 3 million members, which consists of a standing army of approximately 2.25 million troops and is comprised of 5 distinct service branches- the PLA Ground Force, the PLA Navy (PLAN), the PLA Air Force (PLAAF), the Second Artillery Corps (strategic nuclear/missile force) and the PLA Reserve Force.

Currently the PLA is pursuing a comprehensive reconstruction deriving from China's sustained economic growth. In only a decade China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1.95 trillion USD in 2000, has increased to an estimated $ 5.296 trillion USD in 2010, surpassing Japan for second highest in the world next to the US. This growth has enabled China to focus greater resources on building, equipping, and training the PLA. The PLA's official budget has increased from $27.9 billion USD in 2000 to $78 billion USD as of 2010.

The scope of China's military transformation has increased as acquisition of advanced weapons technology, continued high rates of investment in domestic defense and technology industries, and sustained organizational and doctrinal reforms of the PLA have progressed. Over the past several years, China has begun to pursue a new phase of military development by taking on roles and missions for the PLA that go beyond the immediate territorial integrity of China itself. In fact, the development of the Chinese military in recent years has drawn scepticism and even fear over the purpose, especially in East Asia, but also in Europe and North America. The impact of what constitutes of China's "Military Transformation" on the regional and global power balance is a point of contention.

ISDP and the PLA

ISDP has a long relationship with China and the PLA and we pride ourselves on our CHINA INTIATIVE. In the recent past on top of a long list of publications, we have hosted a number of guest researchers from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and the PLA Academy of Military Science (PLA AMS), as well as organizing a number of outstanding conferences and seminars.

The main purpose of our current project, ‘China's Military Transformation', is to analyze China's military reform and provide insight into understanding the ultimate goal of Chinese military development. As ISDP has a long relationship with the PLA and the PLA Academy of Military Science in Beijing, the current project is expected to play a proactive and coordinating role in the establishment of networks between researchers and policy makers in Europe and China.

The project will focus on the Chinese military and its rapid expansion and reform. Specifically we will be focusing on:

The Chinese military's recent and ongoing organizational and doctrinal reform.
China's evolving international and regional role.
Involvement in peace keeping operations (PKOs) and crisis management.

The project aims to establish a healthy strategic culture while enhancing cooperation between traditional and emerging powers. Activities include:

Creating constructive analysis and dialogue with the aim of mitigating misunderstanding between Chinese and foreign military actors.
Analyze conflict areas such as the Taiwan Straits.
Conduct research relating to Chinese military development, economy, energy and environment, and human security.

Together with the Chinese PLA Academy of Military Science, ISDP organizes an annual conference on a topic concerning international security. The aim of the conference is to have world leading experts present and have the opportunity to discuss their views on current security challenges. The conferences also aim to provide international experts with the unique opportunity to meet Chinese academics and high-level military officials who play a key role in determining future Chinese policy and vice versa.