Economist Podcasts
The Intelligence: how strong is the Chinese military?
Nov 10, 2023
Jeremy Page, The Economist's Asia diplomatic editor, offers a deep dive into the capabilities and challenges faced by China's People’s Liberation Army, emphasizing the precarious balance regarding Taiwan's security. Anne Rowe, insightful obituaries editor, reflects on the complexities of confronting ancestral legacies, including a family's journey regarding their ties to slavery. The discussion also highlights the thrill of adventure, linking personal accountability to historical narratives. Together, they challenge listeners to rethink both military assessments and historical responsibilities.
24:28
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Quick takeaways
- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) faces numerous challenges including a lack of combat experience, convoluted command structure, inadequate logistics, and shortage of technologically skilled recruits.
- China is rapidly modernizing its military, but lags behind Russia and the US in terms of nuclear warheads, faces challenges in recruiting skilled personnel, and efforts to reform and crack down on corruption within the PLA have been slower than expected.
Deep dives
China's battle readiness and challenges
China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has not engaged in a war since 1979 and lacks combat experience. Despite having a large army and advanced arsenal, there are numerous challenges facing the PLA. Legacy issues such as a convoluted command structure, inadequate logistics, and the 'peace disease' resulting from years without active combat pose major obstacles. Additionally, the PLA faces fresh challenges, including lessons from the war in Ukraine, American restrictions on tech exports, and a shortage of technologically skilled recruits.
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