China Improves Military as Part of "National Rejuvenation"

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service


The just-released "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China for 2014" report said China's military expenditures continue to grow in keeping with its goal of being a regional and world power.WASHINGTON, June 5, 2014 – China continues to modernize and improve its military capabilities, according to an annual DOD report to Congress, and is also preparing for contingencies in the South and East China Seas where Beijing has been involved in increasingly tense territorial disputes with its neighbors.

The main mission for the People's Liberation Army, the report said, is to improve the capacity of its armed forces to fight and win short-duration, high-intensity regional contingencies.

China continues to prepare for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait -- which includes deterring or defeating the United States, according to the report.

"The People's Liberation Army also is placing emphasis on preparing for contingencies other than Taiwan, including potential contingencies in the South and East China Seas," the report says.

The PLA Navy, the report said, conducted its largest-ever fleet exercise in the Philippine Sea.

China also conducted a series of joint military exercises in September and October, according to the report. "These exercises combined PLA ground, navy and air forces in large-scale maneuvers along China's southern and southeastern coasts," the report said.

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