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China is increasing its military power, and as a result, the PRC army, which was not even one of the strongest in Asia before, according to repeated estimates by analysts, now competes with, and in some categories surpasses, the US armed forces.
However, CNN writes, a report published by the Washington-based RAND Corp. says that the main motive for the massive military modernization of the ruling Communist Party of China is to maintain power, not to fight an overseas enemy. According to analysts, the Communist Party's desire to control military personnel and Chinese society could hinder China's army in battle, especially against such an equal opponent as the United States.
“The PLA (People’s Liberation Army of China) remains largely focused on supporting the rule of the Chinese Communist Party rather than preparing for war,” writes Timothy Heath, a China expert at RAND.
He emphasizes that China's military successes in modernization are aimed primarily at strengthening the attractiveness and authority of Communist Party rule, making war unlikely.
In addition, the analyst notes that PLA units are led not only by commanders, but also by political commissars, who are focused on party loyalty rather than combat effectiveness. Such a divided command system, in his assessment, reduces the ability of commanders to respond flexibly and quickly to emerging situations.
At the same time, other experts criticize his conclusions, pointing out that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has clearly stated his main military goal: to bring Taiwan under Beijing's control, if necessary by force.
“There are much simpler, cheaper, and less risky ways to ensure maximum party security than the specialized combat capabilities that Xi is so insistently pursuing,” said Andrew Erickson, a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College.
Trump wants to improve relations with China
In particular, he stated that as soon as the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip subside, he wants to meet with Russia and China to discuss a sharp reduction in defense spending by all three countries.
At the same time, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, said that China has increased the pace of exercises around Taiwan to the point that it may be difficult for the US to determine when an attack will begin.
