January 29, 2025

China's Military Awakening: A “World-Class” Force Rising

21 minutes

The global balance of power is shifting. China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), is undergoing a rapid and comprehensive modernization, with ambitions to become a "world-class" fighting force by 2049. What does this mean for the future of warfare, regional stability, and the global order?

In this episode, we delve into the recently released 2024 China Military Power Report and a Department of Defense briefing, dissecting the key elements of China's military buildup. We'll explore how the PLA is transforming itself across all branches – from its navy and air force to its rocket force and newly restructured strategic support capabilities.

Join us as we examine:

The PLA's Grand Strategy: Understand China's ambition to achieve "world-class" military status and what that entails for its global role.

Restructuring for Modern War: Explore the sweeping reforms within the PLA, including the dissolution of the Strategic Support Force and a renewed focus on joint operations.

The Rise of the Dragon's Fleet: Analyze the rapid expansion and modernization of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), now the largest in the world, and its growing power projection capabilities.

From Carriers to Cruisers: Examine the PLAN's impressive shipbuilding program, including advanced aircraft carriers, guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships.

The Rocket Force's Deadly Arsenal: Uncover the advancements in China's Rocket Force (PLARF), including new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic weapons, and anti-ship ballistic missiles.

China's Nuclear Ambitions: Explore the rapid expansion of China's nuclear arsenal and its implications for strategic stability. We'll discuss their projected growth to over 1,000 warheads by 2030, and new delivery systems.

Eyes in the Sky: Learn how the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is transforming into a "strategic" air force, with long-range bombers, advanced fighters, and a growing fleet of tanker aircraft.

The South China Sea: A Contested Region: Analyze China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea, including the use of its coast guard, maritime militia, and military to enforce its expansive claims.

Gray Zone Operations: Understand how China uses coercive tactics below the threshold of war to advance its interests.

Going Global: Explore China's expanding military presence around the world, from its base in Djibouti to joint military exercises with partner nations.

The Information Battlefield: Examine how the PLA is leveraging space-based assets, cyber capabilities, and information operations to achieve dominance in the information domain.

Intelligentized Warfare: Explore how the PLA is looking to integrate Artificial Intelligence and other advanced technologies to fight future wars.

The Shadow of Corruption: Discuss how recent high-level corruption investigations within the PLA may be impacting its modernization efforts.

We'll also discuss:

The implications of China's military modernization for the United States and its allies.

The potential for conflict in regions like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

How the international community is responding to China's growing military power.

The PRC's attempts to balance their military growth with an image of "responsible leadership" on the global stage.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of China's military modernization, drawing on expert analysis and official reports to paint a detailed picture of a rising military power. Tune in to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing global security landscape.

Tags: China, Military, PLA, PLAN, PLAAF, PLARF, Modernization, World-Class Military, South China Sea, Taiwan, Nuclear Weapons, Hypersonic Missiles, Aircraft Carriers, Geopolitics, National Security, Defense, Strategy.

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By CJH