In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. David Finkelstein joins us to discuss the PLA’s new joint doctrine and how it will impact China’s military modernization. Dr. Finkelstein describes his research process behind his new report and predicts the major new components of the doctrine. He argues that the concept of an integrated joint force represents a major doctrinal development within the PLA and is a response to a paradigm shift in how warfighting is conducted in an information-centric era. Lastly, Dr. Finkelstein analyzes the possible internal and external challenges the PLA will face when implementing the new doctrine, and how this timeline aligns with China’s military modernization goals for 2027, 2035, and 2049.
Keyword:military modernization
The Best of ChinaPower: Xi Jinping’s Military-Civil Fusion Project: A Conversation with Greg Levesque
This special “best of ChinaPower” episode explores China’s efforts to integrate its military and civilian sectors to support its military development and broader national security agenda. Our guest, Mr. Greg Levesque, discusses how Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) fits into China’s grand strategy and evaluates how effectively it has implemented the program to date. Levesque also weighs the risks and rewards of MCF in Beijing’s strategic calculus and offers a path for how the US and its allies can respond to the growing nexus between military and civil development in China.
The Best of ChinaPower: The Implications of China’s Conventional Missile Arsenal: A Conversation with Ankit Panda
In this special “best of ChinaPower” episode, Mr. Ankit Panda joins us to discuss China’s growing conventional missile arsenal and associated implications for military strategy and security in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlights the role of China’s ground-based missiles in the projection of military power, noting that an increased arsenal can hamper U.S. forces in the region and give the People’s Liberation Army increased maneuverability. Mr. Panda talks about the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF treaty and the political obstacles to an increased U.S. arsenal around China’s periphery. In addition, he explains the strategic implications of China’s dual-capable missile force, and specifically the DF-26 missile’s ability to rapidly convert between nuclear and conventional warheads. Finally, Mr. Panda analyzes the role of hypersonic glide vehicles, noting that while the underlying technology is not new, advances in materials science have allowed more countries to develop HGV systems.
China’s Power: Up for Debate 2020: Debate 4
Will China use significant military force against a country on its periphery within the next five years? Experts discuss in this special debate episode.
The Implications of China’s Conventional Missile Arsenal: A Conversation with Ankit Panda
In this episode, Mr. Ankit Panda joins us to discuss China’s growing conventional missile arsenal and associated implications for military strategy and security in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlights the role of China’s ground-based missiles in the projection of military power, noting that an increased arsenal can hamper U.S. forces in the region and give the People’s Liberation Army increased maneuverability. Mr. Panda talks about the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF treaty and the political obstacles to an increased U.S. arsenal around China’s periphery. In addition, he explains the strategic implications of China’s dual-capable missile force, and specifically the DF-26 missile’s ability to rapidly convert between nuclear and conventional warheads. Finally, Mr. Panda analyzes the role of hypersonic glide vehicles, noting that while the underlying technology is not new, advances in materials science have allowed more countries to develop HGV systems.
Xi Jinping’s Military-Civil Fusion Project: A Conversation with Greg Levesque
In this episode, Greg Levesque joins us to discuss China’s Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) program. Mr. Levesque explains the central role of MCF in the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to make China a world-class military power by 2049, and details the steps Beijing has taken thus far in integrating the military and civil sectors. He also highlights some of the challenges that China faces in its efforts to implement MCF. Finally, Mr. Levesque describes how MCF may pose a threat to US interests and offers recommendations for how the US and its allies can effectively respond.
China’s Military Ambitions in Space: A Conversation with Todd Harrison and Kaitlyn Johnson
In this episode, Todd Harrison and Kaitlyn Johnson join us to discuss China’s military capabilities and ambitions in space. They discuss China’s military space doctrine and achievements over the last two decades, especially focusing on its counterspace weapon systems. They also address the Wolf Amendment, which forbids NASA and the China National Space Administration from any bilateral cooperation, and how it will affect future US-China cooperation in space.
China’s Nuclear Strategy and Capabilities: A Conversation with Hans Kristensen
In this episode, Dr. Hans Kristensen joins us to discuss China’s nuclear policy, nuclear weapons capabilities, and nuclear doctrine. Dr. Kristensen assesses the significance of Beijing’s no-first-use policy and compares China’s nuclear arsenal with those of other major powers. He also explains potential factors that may lead China to increase its nuclear arsenal and alter its current nuclear strategy in the future.