The People Liberation Army the Bogeyman is Only in Your Mind.
Abstract
Current predictions indicate that the most likely military peer opponent to the United States in the next century will be the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). These predictions stem from areas of mutual interest but divergent objectives, the demise of the Soviet Union, and the emasculation of the Soviet Armed Forces. American anxiety concerning a potentially hostile and militarily powerful China emanates from a view of China narrowly focused on points of tension between the United States and the PRC. This perspective of Sino-American relations is exacerbated by efforts taken by the PRC to modernize the PLA into a force capable of projecting power regionally. Fears of renewed Chinese power translate to anxiety about future capabilities and missions of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Recent changes in the organization and composition of the PLA foster concerns in the United States of hostile intentions on the part of the Chinese government. The fear centers on reforms of the PLA emphasizing quality rather than quantity. The movement toward a more competent military is interpreted as hostile intent. The perception of hostile intent marks China as a potential adversary of the United Sates for influence in Asia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 27, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370241
Entities
People
- Robert S. Mikaloff
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College