The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

suming responsibility for international security that is
commensurate with its status as a rising power.
3. China uses PLA military diplomacy to secure
access to the foreign military technology and expertise
necessary to continue rapid military modernization.
Functional exchanges provide the PLA with
opportunities to learn about foreign military technology,
doctrine, force structure, logistics, training, and
professional military education. 110
4. China uses PLA military diplomacy as a deterrent
by demonstrating the PLA’s improving capabilities.
The PLA showcases its growing capabilities
to the outside world through port calls, participation
in antipiracy and peace-keeping operations, fleet reviews,
and other high-visibility activities. These activities
often serve the dual roles of reassurance and
deterrence.
CONCLUSION
PLA military diplomacy plays an important role
in furthering China’s foreign policy and national
security agendas. The PLA’s foreign military relations
program has expanded significantly in the last
2 decades to include increasing numbers of foreign
attaché offices in China and Chinese attaché offices
abroad; participation in more frequent high-level and
functional exchanges; the conduct of combined exercises
with foreign militaries; increased contribution to
peacekeeping operations; and participation in counterpiracy
operations. Through all of these activities,
the PLA is furthering relations with other countries,
while acquiring the tools to further its modernization
drive. The knowledge, experience, and technology
that the PLA gains through interactions with foreign
militaries make it a more formidable fighting force.
460