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

more than a major war. Thus, the second component
of Beijing’s defense policy, which is to “take the initiative”
in defusing crises and deterring war, is seen as
essential to achieve China’s highest strategic priority.
Deterrence includes nuclear and conventional deterrence,
with strategic nuclear deterrence requiring a
“lean” but credible deterrent force. In addition to its
deterrence and crisis defusing functions, this military
strength must be enhanced to ensure the PLA can:
• Win local wars under informatized conditions.
• Maintain China’s maritime, space, and electromagnetic
space security.
• Carry out tasks of counterterrorism, internal
stability, emergency rescue, international
peacekeeping, and military operations other
than war.
• Provide the military strength supporting the
diplomatic, economic, cultural, and legal instruments
Beijing will employ to achieve its
security objectives.
To ensure the security environment remains advantageous
to the primary strategic objective of sustaining
the development so crucial to China’s future, Beijing
declares it will continue participation in international
security cooperation, promote the establishment of
confidence and security building measures, and that
the PLA will persist in conducting a variety of international
military exchanges.
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