CHINA has a “unique” national security model which is based on the principle of “deterrence” and development and does not have “hidden” agenda of military misadventure(s) against any country. It has an open and transparent principle of engagement and cooperation and does not believe in conspiracies and confrontations. Despite newly formed military partnerships among the US, Japan and South Korea, deployment of modern missile systems, dawn of nuclear submarines geopolitics, reactivation of Quad, AUKUS, constant arms supply & sale to Taiwan, building of military bases in Asia-Pacific and flaring up of the South China Sea, China remained peaceful and did not adopt any counter military option which vividly reflected its wisdom to resolve conflicts through meaningful dialogue, diplomacy and development.
The communiqué of 3rd Plenum showcased China’s strong resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests disseminating a clear signalling to all the regional forces in Asia Pacific and their international masters not to interfere in the domestic affairs pertaining to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang. It precisely called for a proper response to external risks and challenges, striving to play a leading role in global governance, and actively working to foster a favourable external environment. The communiqué rightly chalked out a new blueprint for maintaining the CPC’s absolute leadership over the people’s armed forces and fully implementing the strategy of strengthening the military through reform to provide a strong guarantee for realizing the goals for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027 and achieving basic modernization of national defense and the armed forces.
The communiqué rightly pinpointed that integration of public security governance mechanisms, the social governance system, and the mechanisms of peaceful foreign affairs is pivotal for improving the national security system. Moreover, further deepening of reforms in people’s armed forces and further reform joint operations systems and deepening military-civilian reforms has a futuristic orientation. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) celebrates its 97th founding anniversary on August 1. The PLA successfully defended core vested interests of development, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and social fabric amid deteriorating security situations in the world and tensions in Asia Pacific.
While chairing a leadership group study session prior to the country’s Army Day the Chinese President Xi Jinping termed modernization of the country’s border, coastal and air defense vital for the country. Xi upheld that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee institutionalized numerous reforms and led a series of key border, air and sea defense actions which spiritedly safeguarded China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as upheld the strategic initiative of national security and development.
Xi rightly called for intensified efforts to boost infrastructure connectivity and joint development to forge a border, coastal and air defense that is conducive to both national security and economic and social development. The Chinese leader also underlined the importance of improving air traffic management, boosting the sound growth of the low-altitude economy, and optimizing the civil air defense model. It seems that the PLA’s further modernization, enhanced training and equipment development and last but not least, improved national defense is crucial for achieving its centennial goals in 2027.
Despite emerging conflicting security situations during 2023, mainly in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, China remained focused and avoided any military conflict. The PLA’s resolute and powerful moves deterred potential conflicts, defended national sovereignty, security, and interests, and safeguarded regional peace and stability, which are commendable. The Joint Sword-2024A exercise was held around the island of Taiwan from May 23 to 24, featuring the army, navy, air force, and rocket force affiliated with the PLA Eastern Theatre Command. This exercise showcased the PLA’s joint aerial and maritime combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive control of the battlefield, and joint strikes at key targets. It aimed to punish Taiwan independence secessionist forces and send a warning to external interference forces following Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te’s separatist inaugural speech on May 20.
The PLA organized a series of joint patrols and joint exercises in January in the South China Sea, forcing the US and the Philippines to stay away from the region. The PLA conducted several combat-oriented exercises in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, involving advanced warships and warplanes, including the aircraft carrier Shandong, Type 055 large destroyers, and Type 052D destroyers. These exercises systematically practiced not only in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea but also in the West Pacific, clearly illustrating their high intensity and true professionalism in safeguarding Chinese territories, security, and maritime rights during 2023.
The PLA also conducted friendly visits, exchanges as well as holding joint patrols and exercises with militaries of many other countries. It also held regular escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia as well as UN peacekeeping missions contributed to global peace and stability. In summary, the PLA’s involvement in China-Russia joint aerial strategic patrol over the Bering Sea, China-Russia joint naval patrols in the West Pacific and the South China Sea, the China-Belarus Eagle Assault-2024 joint army training in Belarus and the China-Laos Friendship Shield-2024 joint drill in Laos all indicated its professional manoeuvrability, superior tactical capabilities and strong commitment to positively contribute for regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, the PLA’s international military interactions boosted friendships, understandings and pragmatic cooperation. It also stressed counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and regional security issues, rather than bloc confrontation of the West. The split of the Strategic Support Force (SSF) into the information support force, the aerospace force and the cyberspace force was a giant step towards integrated and collaborative modernization increasing further its strategic orientation and deterrence capabilities. Cyber security, Artificial Intelligence and aerospace force have great significance to strengthening the capacity of PLA which should be initiated and further developed as soon as possible. Further enforcement of China’s aircrafts and electromagnetic catapult carrier is the need of the hour. Further development of a stealth fighter jet, a fixed-wing early warning aircraft and a trainer jet would be value addition in the coming year.
—The writer is President, Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Executive Director, CSAIS, regional expert: China, CPEC & BRI.
