An analysis of the People's Liberation Army: 1953-present (China, political policy)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is one of the most important institutions in China. This study examines the use of the PLA as an instrument of Chinese political policy and examines whether the recent hostile actions of the PLA towards Taiwan indicate a Chinese threat to nations in the Asia-Pacific region. This study was conducted using military writings and studies from Western sources as Chinese sources regarding the People's Liberation Army are scarce; however, Chinese documents and press releases were also consulted. The main conclusion of this thesis is that China is not an expansionist power despite Western indications to the contrary, and that the recent buildup of the PLA is meant to improve the defensive capabilities of the Chinese military. China's main goal is to resolve the problem of Taiwan. A modernized PLA is a useful instrument in this goal should a military option be necessary.