The PLA Shapes the Future Security Environment (Colloquium Brief, October 2005)

Abstract

Over 50 experts on China and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) gathered at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from September 23-25, to attend the 2005 PLA Conference, "The PLA Shapes the Future Security Environment," cosponsored by the Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Army War College. Discussion began with the changing relationship between the PLA and the Chinese people, and its effect on PLA recruiting efforts. While officially the PLA is "the Army of the People," the Army may not be as close to the people as it believes. The key points emanating from the conference are as follows: (1) The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has problems attracting technically savvy recruits, owing to competition from China's booming economy; (2) The PLA feels the United States will intervene in a conflict over Taiwan, and is training to defend against or defeat the U.S. military; (3) Japan and the Korean Peninsula could become issues as troublesome for the PLA as Taiwan; and (4) China and the PLA are becoming more active in South and Southeast Asia to increase China's influence in the region. India's rise, in particular, concerns China.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 15, 2005
Accession Number
ADA510739

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  • Andy Gudgel

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  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
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  • Air Defense
  • Asia
  • Environment
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Education
  • Military Forces (Foreign)
  • Military Science
  • Minority Groups
  • Recruits
  • Security
  • South Asia
  • Southeast Asia
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  • Training
  • United States
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  • Warfare

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