Fueled by decades of rapid economic growth and a desire to further its security interests, China has embarked on a large-scale modernization of its military. President Xi Jinping has instituted extensive military reforms aimed at streamlining command structures and improving Chinese military strength. China now boasts a robust navy with a burgeoning aircraft carrier program and one of the largest air forces in the world. To learn more about China’s military power, explore our featured content below.
As part of sweeping efforts to modernize the People’s Liberation Army, China has developed the world’s largest and most diverse arsenal of land-based conventional missiles. Learn how China’s missile forces are evolving and how they are affecting the Indo-Pacific security landscape in our exclusive feature.
ChinaPower hosted its fourth annual conference on December 4, 2019. The conference featured a keynote by Senator David Perdue and a postponed speech by Assistant Secretary of State David. R. Stilwell.
China is one of only nine countries that possesses nuclear weapons. Although its nuclear arsenal is small relative to those of the United States and Russia, China is rapidly expanding and modernizing its nuclear forces and may be significantly shifting its nuclear policies.
China is making steady progress in constructing what is believed to be its third aircraft carrier. Commercial satellite imagery collected on August 18, 2020, shows significant developments in the construction of the vessel and additional improvements to the infrastructure at Jiangnan Shipyard.
Since opening, Jiangnan has continuously engaged in the construction, maintenance, and modification of a wide range of commercial and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels. Analysis conducted by CSIS of satellite imagery from 2011 and 2018 illustrates the degree to which the shipyard’s infrastructure has developed during the intervening seven years.
Beijing is undertaking sweeping efforts to modernize its navy. Between 2017 and 2019, China reportedly built more naval vessels than India, Japan, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom combined. Learn more about China’s naval modernization progress in this ChinaPower feature.
ChinaPower hosted its third annual conference on November 29, 2018. The conference featured Senator Edward J. Markey and Admiral Philip S. Davidson as the keynote speakers.
China’s military budget provides insight into its expanding military capabilities. In terms of gauging relative military strength, defense budgets can be compared between countries and over a set period of time to assess overall trends.
