People's Liberation Army (PLA) Conference
Assessing China's Military
As part of China’s efforts to build a “world-class military” by 2049, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been rapidly modernized and reorganized under General Secretary Xi Jinping. Through these efforts, the PLA has begun to build a modernized joint force capable of a complex range of operations. It now rivals the U.S. military in key areas, such as conventional ballistic and cruise missile capabilities and the military application of emerging technologies, as well as possesses the world’s largest naval fleet.
To examine these critical trends, NBR convenes an invitation-only, annual conference in collaboration with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) that brings together leading specialists from academe, government, the military, and policy think tanks.
Each conference identifies a unique theme each year that explores key developments in the field of PLA studies. Previous conference themes have addressed the PLA’s evolving approach to deterrence, the application of emerging technologies in the PLA’s military modernization effort, and the PLA’s emerging identity as an expeditionary and global fighting force.
The findings of each conference are published in an edited volume that informs the U.S. national security community of the most significant issues related to China’s military facing the United States.
2024 People’s Liberation Army Conference
Assessing U.S.-China Deterrence Dynamics and Crisis Management
2022 People’s Liberation Army Conference
2021 People’s Liberation Army Conference (Seattle)
2020 People’s Liberation Army Conference
2018 Annual People's Liberation Army Conference
