Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2007
Abstract
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, Public Law 106-65, provides that the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report on the current and future military strategy of the People's Republic of China. The report shall address the current and probable future course of military-technological development. China's rise as a regional political and economic power with global aspirations is an important element of today's strategic environment. The United States welcomes the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China. However, much uncertainty surrounds the future course of China's expanding military power. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is pursuing comprehensive transformation from a mass army designed for protracted wars of attrition on its territory to one capable of fighting and winning short-duration, high-intensity conflicts against high-tech adversaries which China refers to as local wars under conditions of informatization. China's ability to sustain military power at a distance, at present, remains limited but has the potential in the future to compete militarily with the United States and field disruptive military technologies. China's near-term focus on preparing for military contingencies in the Taiwan Strait, including the possibility of U.S. intervention, appears to be an important driver of its modernization plans. However, analysis of China's military acquisitions and strategic thinking suggests Beijing is also generating capabilities for other regional contingencies, such as conflict over resources or territory. The pace and scope of China's military transformation has increased in recent years, fueled by continued high rates of investment in its domestic defense and science and technology industries, acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, and far reaching reforms of the armed forces. China's pursuit of area denial and anti-access strategies is expanding from the traditional dimensions to include space and cyber-space.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA468606
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense