The PLA's expeditionary potential in the context of Chinese Military strategy in the New Era

 
PIIS013128120017721-4-1
DOI10.31857/S013128120017721-4
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Occupation: Assistant Professor, Department of theory and history of international relations
Affiliation: Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation
Occupation: Applicant at the Department of theory and history of international relations
Affiliation: Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation
Occupation: Applicant at the Department of theory and history of international relations
Affiliation: Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation
Occupation: Applicant at the Department of theory and history of international relations
Affiliation: Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Address: 6, Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation
Journal nameProblemy Dalnego Vostoka
EditionIssue 6
Pages105-119
Abstract

The sustained economic development of China with integration into the world economy and the implementation of macro-regional initiatives that go beyond the traditional localization of Chinese national interests have revealed the need to expand the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army of China. Along with the creation of a strong army, China is actively building up its expeditionary potential. Such kind of military potential allows to project power into strategically important zones. The proposed article is devoted to identifying indicators of increasing the ability of the Chinese armed forces to operate outside China's borders in the «New era». The hypothesis of the study is that China is currently entering an era of development of forces capable of operating around the world, providing military protection to China's expanding global economic and political interests. In the article, the authors rely on a systematic approach that allows us to identify and analyze the main structural characteristics of the PLA’s expeditionary potential at three levels: strategic, operational and tactical. The article analyzes military doctrines, concepts of the use of the PLA and the command structure. Special attention is also paid to the peculiarities of Chinese foreign operations and the logistical capabilities of the PLA to project its power in geographical spaces far away from the Chinese territory. The authors conclude that the PLA's expeditionary potential is becoming an increasingly popular means to achieve broad political and economic goals on a global scale. The increase in naval and air power projection facilities with an emphasis on the creation of competent ground units in this plane increases the mobility of the PLA to perform specific tasks. The military-civilian integration makes it possible to fill the lack of delivery vehicles and team sites.

KeywordsChinese foreign policy, PLA, Chinese military potential, the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the People's Liberation Army Air Force, overseas interests, military operations other than war, strategic strong point model
Received06.11.2021
Publication date16.12.2021
Number of characters33152
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