Strategic Studies Institute
United States Army War College

Right Sizing the People's Liberation Army: Exploring the Contours of China's Military

Edited by Dr. Andrew Scobell, Mr. Roy Kamphausen.

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+[People's Liberation Army] +[PLA]

Brief Synopsis

This volume addresses how the leadership of China and the PLA view what size of PLA best meets China’s requirements. Among other things, this analytical process makes important new contributions on the question of PLA transparency, long an issue among PLA watchers. A great deal of emphasis has been put on understanding not only how, but also why a military modernizes itself. Some of the determining factors are national policies and strategy, doctrine, organizational structure, missions, and service cultures. While this list is not exhaustive, it does begin to paint a picture of just how broad and deep military interests run. It is important when we look at the structure and strategy for growth within the Chinese military that we see the world as China sees it. We need to see a world in which the “Taiwan issue” as well as that of North Korea and others are not viewed as short-term concerns, but fit into how China sees itself in a long-term leadership role in the region and in the world.

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Also by the /Editors:

Beyond the Strait: PLA Missions other than Taiwan
The "People" in the PLA: Recruitment, Training, and Education in China's Military
Projecting Pyongyang: The Future of North Korea's Kim Jong Il Regime
North Korea's Military Threat: Pyongyang's Conventional Forces, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Ballistic Missiles
Shaping China's Security Environment: The Role of the People's Liberation Army
Kim Jong Il and North Korea: The Leader and the System
Chinese National Security: Decisionmaking Under Stress
North Korea's Strategic Intentions

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Asia Pacific
China