Lending a Helping Hand: People's Liberation Army and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief
Abstract
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) shows signs of viewing international Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) operations as a means of improving their ability to project soft power to complement China's emerging role on the international scene. Building international goodwill, contributing to the projection of a non-threatening Chinese rise in the international community and enhancing the role of the PLA vis-a-vis other military services are three specific results that the PLA can accomplish through participation in international HADR missions. In the future, we can expect to see greater PLA involvement in international HADR missions, an emphasis on acquisition of equipment conducive to HADR and power projection, and the PLA stressing the need to develop a "logistics tail" in the form of overseas bases to sustain their operations over the long term.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA535782
Entities
People
- Tania M. Chacho
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy