The PLA as a “World-Class” Tool of National Power

Executive Summary

MAIN ARGUMENT

PRC sources describe a world-class military as requiring both world-class combat and noncombat capabilities. World-class combat capabilities include cutting-edge technology such as AI, unmanned systems, directed energy, network weapons, algorithms, and even social media. World-class noncombat capabilities likely include softer elements of the PLA such as talent, theory, political cohesion, and international image. PRC literature suggests that Xi envisions a world-class PLA as an increasingly active global tool of national power, commensurate with China’s status as a global leader, which can be flexibly employed to advance PRC interests through both hard and soft power. Although it is too early to tell how this approach for utilizing a world-class military might differ from the U.S. approach, early evidence suggests that Beijing will increasingly look to the PLA to play a role in its exercise of soft power. A worst-case scenario would entail the PRC achieving national rejuvenation, surpassing the U.S. in comprehensive national power, and developing a world-class PLA by midcentury.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

• Xi’s intent to build a world-class military by midcentury should not be mistaken for an assessment that the PRC must still improve to be capable of fielding world-class combat capabilities. The benchmark of a world-class military undergirds a much more ambitious undertaking, and U.S. policymakers should plan to face a PLA that operates at or beyond a U.S. standard in the coming decades.
• A debate is ongoing within the PRC about the role the PLA will play in advancing discourse power. Western policymakers and observers should pay careful attention to this discussion to more effectively identify opportunities to better compete in the information space.
• The PLA’s role in the “community of common destiny” and its associated initiatives does not appear to be clearly defined. As the PRC continues to employ the PLA globally, Western institutions and militaries will increasingly need to view the PLA as a global actor.

Evan McKinney is an independent analyst and retired U.S. Air Force foreign area officer.