The US Defense Department has released its annual report on China’s military and security developments, highlighting several key areas of focus. The report notes a rise in corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with efforts to curb it, and how this might affect China’s ambitions.
According to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, the anti-corruption hunt reflects a serious concern about the problems within the PLA. The corruption has touched every service in the organization, with President Xi Jinping making rooting out corruption a focus of his tenure since taking office.
The report highlights China’s increased investments in its military capabilities, including modernizing its nuclear arsenal and expanding its space and counter-space capabilities. The US estimates that China has surpassed 600 operational nuclear warheads as of mid-2024 and is expected to have over 1,000 by 2030.
China’s military modernization efforts are seen as a key factor in its Taiwan unification efforts, with the PLA aiming to complete its modernization by 2035. The report also notes China’s support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and its military cooperation and exercises with Moscow.
The US is closely monitoring China’s relationships with other countries, including Iran and its proxies. The report highlights China’s support for Iranian proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have built a supply chain with Beijing to acquire capabilities to attack international shipping.
Overall, the report provides insight into China’s military modernization efforts and its growing global influence.
Source: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4011541/report-despite-corruption-problems-china-progresses-toward-modernization