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

including the need to enhance the PLA’s ability to deter
war. General Shou identifies three key areas as priorities
for enhancement: space systems, naval forces,
and strategic nuclear deterrence and counterattack
capabilities. He viewed deterrence, both strategic and
conventional, as demanding a higher military requirement
than winning wars, for it is based on the potential
adversary recognizing China’s military strength. 13
THE PLA AND CHINA’S GLOBAL SECURITY
ENVIRONMENT
China’s 2008 Defense White Paper 14 laid out the
themes that had received emphasis since Hu’s speech.
The most pressing difficulties confronting China’s
defense forces were seen as consequences of the increasing
influence of military power on international
relations. 15 International military competition was
seen as intensifying as science and technological advances
were driving the revolution in military affairs
(RMA) to new and higher levels. “Some major powers”
(read as the United States) were building up their
alliances, accelerating the “transformation” of their
armed forces with advanced technology weapons and
equipment. Strategic nuclear forces, astronautics, ballistic
missile defense systems, and global and tactical
reconnaissance and surveillance are among the top
priorities of these powers. Moreover, “some developing
countries” (India?) were seen as seeking and acquiring
advanced technology capabilities to increase
the strength of their armed forces. Moreover, supporting
diplomatic strategy with military power had become
the accepted policy of essentially all countries,
leading to regional arms races and severe challenges
to the international arms control and nonproliferation
regimes.
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