James Char(2024), Modernising the People’s Liberation Army: Aspiring to Be a Global Military Power, Taylor & Francis.
Manoj Karki
The book Modernising the People’s Liberation Army: Aspiring to Be a Global Military Power edited by James Char, explores the comprehensive modernization of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as it aspires to become a globally competitive military force by 2049. This volume, part of the Asian Security Studies series, gathers contributions from various experts to assess the PLA’s reforms, strategies, and organizational changes, particularly under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. These chapters provide a multi-dimensional view of the PLA’s evolution and aspirations, framed by Xi’s vision for China to reclaim its historical position as a preeminent power.
This edited volume features contributions from experts including Dennis J. Blasko, Ryan D. Martinson, Kenneth W. Allen, Elsa B. Kania, and Joel Wuthnow, among others. Char, a Research Fellow and now an Assistant Professor at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University provides editorial direction, setting a cohesive structure and thematic unity that allows each author to contribute insights into distinct aspects of the PLA’s modernization. The diverse backgrounds of these contributors, ranging from military analysts to academics specializing in Chinese security, ensure a rigorous examination of China’s military strategy and modernization efforts. The inclusion of this array of perspectives gives the book an analytical depth that is crucial for understanding the PLA’s complex evolution.
Char and his co-authors structure their analysis around theories of “intelligentized” and “informationized” warfare, which reflect how the PLA is adapting to 21st-century conflict. The PLA’s modernization is segmented into two core phases: “above-the-neck” reforms focused on high-level command structures and “below-the-neck” reforms at the operational level. Contributors such as Blasko and Martinson apply the theory of counter-intervention, which considers the PLA’s efforts to counter external influence—particularly from the U.S. military in East Asia—by developing anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Kania discusses “informationized” warfare, examining the Strategic Support Force’s (now disbanded and formed into individual domains) role in cyber and electronic warfare. This theoretical lens positions the PLA’s reforms as responses to evolving regional and global dynamics, rather than purely domestic restructuring efforts.
The text presents a substantial justification for the PLA’s modernization, connecting it to China’s broader strategic goals. In the introductory chapter, Char describes Xi Jinping’s ambition to transform the PLA into a “world-class military” by 2049. This goal aligns with China’s “national rejuvenation” and its need to defend sovereignty amid perceived threats from the U.S. and regional adversaries. For instance, Blasko’s analysis of the PLA Army’s post-reform structure justifies the creation of specialized brigades, which are instrumental in achieving high mobility and readiness for joint operations across various combat scenarios, including the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Martinson’s chapter on the Navy (PLAN) emphasizes the PLAN’s expansion as central to China’s maritime power projection strategy, with justification tied to countering U.S. presence in the South China Sea. This A2/AD approach is a calculated response to the strategic threat posed by American forces operating near Chinese territorial waters. Furthermore, Kania’s discussion of the Strategic Support Force justifies the PLA’s investment in cyber capabilities by highlighting the critical role of electronic and information warfare in modern conflicts, underscoring the PLA’s alignment with contemporary global military trends.
The book offers a detailed account of the PLA’s modernization and explores the challenges China faces in building a globally competitive military. The contributors successfully present a coherent narrative on the institutional reforms shaping the PLA, but some aspects merit closer examination.
Analytical Depth and Theoretical Consistency: The book’s strength lies in its application of counter-intervention and intelligentized warfare theories, providing a clear rationale for the PLA’s reforms. The authors are consistent in connecting these theories with the PLA’s structural adjustments, yet the operational implications of “intelligentized” warfare remain speculative. This theoretical framework could benefit from a more grounded analysis of recent PLA activities in Taiwan and the South China Sea to validate its relevance.
Evidence-Based Insights: The volume’s reliance on open-source intelligence and official Chinese publications like Science of Military Strategy enhances its credibility. However, as some chapters reveal, this dependence on limited, often opaque data sources makes it challenging to evaluate the full extent of PLA capabilities. Kania’s discussion on cyber warfare is particularly constrained, as it is difficult to assess PLA intentions and operational capacity in this domain without more transparent information.
The Balance of Optimism and Realism: Char and his co-authors offer a balanced view of the PLA’s strengths and limitations. Bruzzese’s chapter on the PLA Rocket Force highlights the formidable capabilities and recent advancements in missile technology while acknowledging limitations in the PLA’s command-and-control systems and logistical coordination, as Wuthnow discusses regarding the Joint Logistic Support Force (JLSF). This tempered optimism enhances the volume’s objectivity, though it occasionally ventures into a cautious idealization of the PLA’s modernization.
Comparative Perspective and Cross-Regional Analysis: While focused on China, the book could benefit from a more comparative approach. For instance, assessing PLA developments against those of other rising regional powers such as India or Japan would provide greater context. This comparative perspective is especially relevant to understanding the PLA’s standing within the broader Asian security landscape and would aid readers in evaluating the regional ramifications of China’s military rise.
Future Projections: Char’s editorial choice to include future projections of PLA’s capability by 2049 enriches the book’s strategic relevance. However, these projections occasionally verge on speculative without comprehensive data on the PLA’s potential technological advancements and economic constraints. Including more counterfactual scenarios or alternative pathways would add rigor to these projections, especially given the unpredictability of global military and economic trends.
Modernising the People’s Liberation Army: Aspiring to Be a Global Military Power provides a robust and timely examination of the PLA’s transformation. Char and his collaborators offer valuable insights into the theoretical underpinnings, structural reforms, and strategic implications of China’s military modernization. The book’s mechanical approach and detailed breakdown of the PLA’s conventional and “new-type” forces deliver a thorough and accessible guide to understanding China’s military objectives. Despite some limitations, particularly regarding data transparency and the speculative nature of some projections, this volume is an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in Asia-Pacific security.
This book reminds readers of the considerable challenge China faces in its quest to become a global military power. The PLA’s current trajectory is marked by rapid advancements, yet it also reflects the constraints of an organization adapting to new warfare paradigms. Char’s compilation underscores that while China’s military modernization continues to raise global concerns, it remains a work in progress. Modernising the People’s Liberation Army ultimately serves as a sober reminder of the unpredictable journey ahead for the PLA and its impact on international security.
Manoj Karki is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Politics (specialization in International Relations) at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
