ICWA Journal Article - Xi’s Military Reforms and its Efficacy in Furthering China’s National Security Objectives

Indo-Pacific Studies
Written By Manoj Kewalramani

This paper was originally published in India Quarterly (ISSN: 0974-9284, OnlineFirst Edition), an Indian Council for World Affairs publication.

Abstract

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced landmark military reforms in late 2015. The reforms intend to remove the ‘institutional obstacles, structural contradictions and policy problems’ with the aim of modernising the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) organisational structure in order to ‘further unleash its combat effectiveness’. They also aim to convert the PLA into a world-class force by 2049. However, assessing the reform process in the context of organisational structures and force-specific objectives, it appears that there remains much to be desired. The reforms have certainly made the PLA a better equipped regional force. But they have, thus far, only had a limited impact in terms of preparing the PLA to meet key strategic and security objectives.

Author

Featured
Suyash Desai
Suyash Desai

Suyash was an Associate Fellow working in China Studies Programme at The Takshashila Institution from 2019 to 2022. His main areas of research were on China’s defence and foreign policies. He also publishes a fortnighty newsletter on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army called the PLA Insight.

Manoj Kewalramani
Manoj Kewalramani

Manoj Kewalramani is a Fellow-China Studies at The Takshashila Institution. His research focuses on Chinese politics, foreign policy and approaches to new technologies.

Manoj Kewalramani
Previous

Takshashila-Hudson Blue Paper - Restarting the Post-Pandemic Indian Economy
Next

Takshashila Discussion Document - How States Negotiated in the UN’s OEWG on Space Threats