The annual “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” report released by the Defense Department provides insights into China’s military capabilities, strategies, and goals. This year’s report highlights a rise in corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and President Xi Jinping’s efforts to address this issue. The report notes that corruption affects every service in the PLA and has resulted in the removal of high-ranking military officers and defense industry executives, including the Defense Minister Li Shangfu.
The anti-corruption campaign in China has raised concerns about its impact on the PLA’s capabilities and ability to meet development milestones set by Xi Jinping. The report also emphasizes China’s increased public defense budget, allowing the PLA to focus on modernizing its weapons and equipment, recruitment, and enhancing its strategic capacities. Investments in capabilities focused on Taiwan contingencies, the South and East China Seas, power projection, and global defense ambitions are noted in the report.
China’s nuclear expansion and modernization efforts are also detailed in the report, with the PLA’s nuclear arsenal growing in both numbers and quality. The report highlights China’s move towards a nuclear triad, including ballistic missile submarines and nuclear-capable bombers. Additionally, China’s military struggles with deficiencies in readiness and capabilities, including in areas such as commander evaluations, operational decisions, and urban warfare.
The report also addresses China’s military ties with allies, such as Russia, and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. China’s involvement in military cooperation and exercises with Russia, as well as its relations with other countries like North Korea, Iran, and Iranian proxy groups, are mentioned in the report. The report warns of the destabilizing effects of China’s anti-Western orientation and activities in regions like the Middle East, where China supports Iran and its proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Overall, the report outlines China’s goals for modernizing the PLA by 2027 and becoming a “world-class military” by 2049.
