XI’S GETTING SERIOUS: The PLA Accelerates Modernization Plans.

Shortly after the close of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) would essentially complete by 2035. Subsequent reporting confirmed that this announcement represented an acceleration of the military modernization plan, shortening the original plan’s third stage by 15 years from 2049 to 2035 (Xinhua November 24, 2017). However, Xi added that the PLA would not transform into a world-class military until mid-century (Xinhua, October 27, 2017).

This shortened timeline is a sign of both successes of the reforms and recognition of continuing areas of weakness for the PLA. Even more importantly, however, is the fact that this accelerated timeline is being accompanied by reform of military education and training which are necessary complements to the equipment modernization. Cultivating military talents as part of the military educational reforms, and enhancing training to approach actual combat conditions are important components of military modernization.

Note that modernization includes making the People’s Liberation Army deadlier and smaller. It’s a common theme on the internet that a major war would help China reduce the large surplus of young males, but Beijing’s move to a more Western-like force indicates they desire the means to fight shorter, (and hopefully, to them) conclusive wars with minimized losses.

Otherwise, they’d be sticking with huge numbers of draftees and practically disposable, Soviet-style equipment.