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Description

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Council Information Office released the seventh edition of its biennial defense white paper, “China’s National Defense in 2010,” on March 31, 2011. This document aims to communicate the latest information on China’s military development, strategy, capabilities, and intentions. China began publishing defense white papers in 1998, partly as a means of increasing transparency in response to regional concerns about the growing capabilities and actions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Despite the systematic release of these documents, many of China’s neighbors and other regional powers continue to express concerns about China’s lack of military transparency. The Chinese maintain that they are becoming more open over time and highlight the importance of transparency about strategic intentions rather than capabilities.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

Asia/East Asia, China

Topic(s)

Chinese Military, Defense Policy, National Security

Publication Date

7-2011

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

Chinese military transparency, 2010 China Defense White Paper, PLA capabilities transparency, Chinese defense reporting, PLA modernization reporting, defense white paper evaluation, PRC defense policy communication

Chinese Military Transparency: Evaluating the 2010 Defense White Paper

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