On September 1, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual “China Military Power Report,” which describes and analyzes new developments in China’s military power, as well as its strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
The Pentagon’s definition of China as a strategic competitor in 2018, coupled with the recent intensification of military games and confrontations between the two countries’ militaries in the Western Pacific, has drawn particular attention to China’s military developments.
China’s Military Needs to be World-Class
The 200-page China Military Power Report states that China aims to “fundamentally” modernize its military by 2035 and achieve “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049, making the PLA a “world class” military force.
The report emphasizes that China already has the world’s largest army and navy, and while it does not define what constitutes “world-class” military power, it believes it is likely that by the middle of this century, China will aim to develop a military force comparable to, or in some areas superior to, the militaries of the United States or other major powers.
China’s military strategy is a determined pursuit of political and social modernity, including expanding its power, improving its system of governance, and changing the international order,” Chad Sbragia, deputy assistant secretary of defense for China affairs, told a panel at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a Washington think tank, on Tuesday. “
Shi added that China’s growing confidence in recent years in its domestic politics and its ability to meet strategic challenges is reflected in its international behavior.
The Pentagon, for the first time, explicitly listed a series of places that could be potential PLA bases or logistics hubs, including Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Kenya and Tajikistan, in this year’s China Military Power Report.
The Chinese national leadership’s “world power” aspiration, Shi explained, is to have a comprehensive and all-encompassing national power.
“In order to achieve this goal, China needs to be as globally integrated as possible. China’s vast ambitions are not limited to just one location, they are testing the use of these bases and facilities, and we will continue to watch the developments and assess the potential impact this could have on the United States and our allies.”
U.S.-China Confrontation in Taiwan and South China Sea Escalating?
Recently, the PLA has been making frequent moves around Taiwan. The latest report released by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense suggests that PLA aircraft overflights of Taiwan’s southwestern airspace will become the norm. As if in reaction to China’s actions, the U.S. declassified six U.S. assurance documents on Taiwan on the 31st, signaling greater clarity in U.S. policy toward Taiwan.
The China Military Power Report also specifically mentions Taiwan, warning that the PLA is actively preparing for war to dissuade, deter, and even defeat third-party intervention in a possible large-scale war against Taiwan.
In response, Shi Cande said, “The worst outcome would be conflict, which is not the best way forward for anyone, including the United States and China. The best way for the U.S. to meet this challenge is to be ready at all times.”
Asked about the recent U.S. listing of several Chinese companies involved in the construction of artificial reefs in disputed areas of the South China Sea as entities and the escalation of U.S.-China conflict in the South China Sea, Shi said, “The United States has been communicating with the Chinese leadership to ask China to stop these illegal actions. To counter China’s militarization of the South China Sea, the U.S. has also stepped up its military activities in the South China Sea. We will continue related actions to maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific region.”
Stopping Intellectual Property Theft Pentagon Also Involved
In addition to the military, the China Military Power Report discusses China’s efforts to expand its influence through cultural institutions, the media, business, academia, and the policy community to help it achieve its strategic goals. In recent times, it has been frequently reported that U.S. institutions of higher learning and research have been stealing tens of billions of dollars of U.S. intellectual property for China.
Mr. Shi reiterated that the U.S. Department of Defense has a long history of working with all departments to follow up on situations, identify risks, and ensure that the institutions involved are held accountable.
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