Five takeaways from China State Council's defence white paper
The Chinese cabinet on Tuesday released a white paper on defence which outlines the strategic and security vision of the nation.
By Agencies | Updated:
China's State Council on Tuesday declared that it would recalibrate its defence infrastructure and posture for 'active defence'. The Chinese cabinet released a white paper on defence which outlines the strategic and security vision of the nation, particularly with regard to the South China sea dispute and China's territorial claims.
The 5 takeaways from the white paper:
1) The People's Liberation Army navy (PLAAN) will put greater emphasis on "open seas protection" rather than "offshore waters defence" alone.
2) The air force (PLAAF) will shift focus "from territorial air defence to both defence and offence".
3) The army (PLA) will increase its global mobility.
4) The Chinese nuclear forces will strengthen capabilities for "medium and long-range precision strikes".
5) The white paper singled out the US's announced "rebalancing" towards Asia, and Japan's revision of some of its defence policies as objects of "concern".
Beijing has increased annual spending on its military -- the world's largest by personnel -- by double-digit annual percentages for several decades as it seeks to modernise its forces.
It has focused on increasing naval power, commissioning its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and rapidly adding to its submarine and surface fleets.
Several of its Asian neighbours, some also with claims in the South China Sea, have been alarmed by the military build-up, though Beijing insists that its investment is purely defensive.
China remains far behind the United States in military capacity and reach despite the recent increases in defence spending.
Questions have been raised over the effectiveness of its fighting forces, with corruption thought to be widespread and several senior figures placed under investigation since President Xi Jinping came to power two years ago.
The 5 takeaways from the white paper:
1) The People's Liberation Army navy (PLAAN) will put greater emphasis on "open seas protection" rather than "offshore waters defence" alone.
2) The air force (PLAAF) will shift focus "from territorial air defence to both defence and offence".
3) The army (PLA) will increase its global mobility.
4) The Chinese nuclear forces will strengthen capabilities for "medium and long-range precision strikes".
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5) The white paper singled out the US's announced "rebalancing" towards Asia, and Japan's revision of some of its defence policies as objects of "concern".
Beijing has increased annual spending on its military -- the world's largest by personnel -- by double-digit annual percentages for several decades as it seeks to modernise its forces.
It has focused on increasing naval power, commissioning its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and rapidly adding to its submarine and surface fleets.
Several of its Asian neighbours, some also with claims in the South China Sea, have been alarmed by the military build-up, though Beijing insists that its investment is purely defensive.
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China remains far behind the United States in military capacity and reach despite the recent increases in defence spending.
Questions have been raised over the effectiveness of its fighting forces, with corruption thought to be widespread and several senior figures placed under investigation since President Xi Jinping came to power two years ago.
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