88 Occasional Paper FEBRUARY 2016
Xi Jinping and PLA Reform
M J Xi Jinping and PLA Reform
M J ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Manoj Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. He is a columnist and author, and his views on a variety of national issues are frequently solicited for panel discussions on television. He studied in St Stephen's College, Delhi, and the Lucknow University. He has a keen interest in issues related to national security and has written two books and a number of scholarly articles, and is co-editor of another book. He obtained his PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
2016 Observer Research Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from ORF. Xi Jinping and PLA Reform
ABSTRACT
In the past three years since Xi Jinping assumed leadership of the Communist Party of China, the international community has witnessed the People's Liberation Army becoming more active, across the disputed Sino- Indian border, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean. As Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping is leading a historic transformation of the PLA from a land-centric homeland defence force, to one that is capable of intervening in regional contingencies. While it will take time before the PLA can match the global reach of the US military, the PLA is seeking to model itself on its American counterpart, emphasising joint operational capabilities and an ability to ght in a high-technology, 'information technology' environment. Yet the need to professionalise is only one aspect of the Chinese situation, and the reform measures called for, cover a wide range from creating new organisations for the command and employment of the forces, to enhancing military training, discipline inspection, and audit.
INTRODUCTION