China’s military strategy for a ‘new era’: Some change, more continuity, and tantalizing hints

Authors

Joel Wuthnow, Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
M. Taylor Fravel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Files

Description

In 2019, China’s Central Military Commission adopted a new strategy for the People’s Liberation Army, titled the ‘military strategic guidelines for the new era.’ This was consistent with the past but framed by Xi’s political consolidation, growing threats from the United States and Taiwan, and a new military structure. This article documents the strategy and asks what would drive a more fundamental adjustment. It concludes that the strategy reflected a determination to focus the PLA on the necessary and the achievable, but a new direction could be influenced by changes in the strategic landscape, rapid modernization, or new operational concepts.

Document Type

Article

Region(s)

China, East Asia

Topic(s)

Chinese Military

Publication Date

3-2022

Publisher

Routledge

City

New York, NY

Keywords

China, PLA, military strategy, joint operations, Taiwan

Recommended Citation

Wuthnow, Joel and Fravel, M. Taylor, "China’s military strategy for a ‘new era’: Some change, more continuity, and tantalizing hints" (2022). CSCMA Research & Case Studies. 1.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/cscma-research/1