The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century (Asian Security Studies S.)

The Chinese Army Today is a completely unique and comprehensive study of all elements of the Chinese military, focusing on its ground forces to a degree not found in any other contemporary works. In 1999, the military modernization program of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army that had been underway for twenty years increased in intensity and achieved a focus not seen in the previous two decades. Based primarily on actual Chinese sources, this book details the changes implemented since 1999 and puts them in the context of the many traditions that still remain. Written by a retired professional military officer who has served in China, this book presents the reader with the key developments since 1999. Its discussion on training and doctrine provides a level of detail not found in other works, but is essential to understanding the progress made in China’s military modernization and the obstacles yet to be overcome. The author uses first-hand observation of the Chinese military and three decades of military experience to weave many disparate threads from official Chinese statements, documents, and media reports into an integrated whole. This text defines exactly what forces make up the People’s Liberation Army and examines in detail ground force organization and structure, personnel policies, doctrine and training, new equipment entering the force, and missions routinely undertaken in support of society. This is an essential book for all students and scholars of China and Asia, political science and international relations and of contemporary military affairs and strategic studies. "The Chinese Army Today" is a completely unique and comprehensive study of all elements of the Chinese military, focusing on its ground forces to a degree not found in any other contemporary works.; In 1999, the military modernization program of the Chinese People's Liberation Army that had been underway for 20 years increased in intensity and achieved a focus not seen in the previous two decades. Based primarily on actual Chinese sources, this book details the changes implemented since 1999 and puts them in the context of the many traditions that still remain.; Written by a retired professional military officer who has served in China, this book presents the reader with the key developments since 1999. Its discussion on training and doctrine provides a level of detail not found in other works, but is essential to understanding the progress made in China's military modernization and the obstacles yet to be overcome. The author uses first-hand observation of the Chinese military and three decades of military experience to weave many disparate threads from official Chinese statements, documents, and media reports into an integrated whole.; This text defines exactly what forces make up the People's Liberation Army and examines in detail ground force organization and structure, personnel policies, doctrine and training, new equipment entering the force, and missions routinely undertaken in support of society.; This is an essential book for all students and scholars of China and Asia, political science and international relations and of contemporary military affairs and strategic studies "The Chinese Army Today" is a unique and comprehensive study of all elements of Chinese military modernization, focusing on its ground forces to a degree not found in any other contemporary works. In 1999, the military modernization program of the Chinese People's Liberation Army that had been underway for 20 years increased in intensity and achieved a focus not seen in the previous two decades. Based primarily on Chinese sources, this book details the changes implemented since 1999 and puts them in the context of the many traditions that still remain. Written by a retired professional military officer who has served in China, this book presents the reader with the key developments since 1999. Its discussion on training and doctrine provides a level of detail not found in other works, but is essential to understanding the progress made in China's military modernization and the obstacles yet to be overcome. The author uses first-hand observation of the Chinese military and three decades of military experience to weave many disparate threads from official Chinese statements, documents, and media reports into an integrated whole. This text defines exactly what forces make up the People's Liberation Army and examines in detail ground force organization and structure, personnel policies, doctrine and training, new equipment entering the force, and missions routinely undertaken in support of society. This is an essential book for all students and scholars of China and Asia, political science and international relations and of contemporary military affairs and strategic studies. BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 SERIES TITLE......Page 3 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 DEDICATIONS......Page 6 CONTENTS......Page 8 ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 9 TABLES......Page 10 PREFACE......Page 12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 14 ABBREVIATIONS......Page 16 1. INTRODUCTION......Page 20 2. WHAT IS THE PLA?......Page 35 3. WHO IS THE PLA?......Page 66 4. WHERE IS THE PLA?......Page 85 5. HOW WILL THE PLA FIGHT?......Page 110 6. WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES THE PLA USE?......Page 140 7. HOW DOES THE PLA TRAIN?......Page 163 8. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PLA IN CHINESE SOCIETY?......Page 190 9. CONCLUSIONS AND THE GHOSTS OF TIANANMEN......Page 201 NOTES......Page 214 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 240 INDEX......Page 243