Reshaping the Chinese Military: The PLAs Roles and Missions in the Xi Jinping Era

This edited volume examines the recalibration of the Peoples Liberation Armys (PLA) roles and missions in Chinas domestic and foreign policymaking since Xi Jinpings ascension to power in late 2012.

This book explores how Chinas growing military prowess, along with Beijings ongoing shift away from "keeping a low profile," owes much to the policies of the Chinas Communist Party under Xi Jinpings leadership. The chapters in the book share a central theme: the recalibration of the PLA roles and missions since Xi Jinping assumed the trifecta of party-state-military power. These contributions seek to explore in depth some of the key issues and scrutinize the enhancements in the PLAs operational capabilities, both in terms of its hardware as well as its "heartware" - the human elements of its development such as operational culture and doctrine. In all, the chapters document the transformative change the PLA has undergone since the profound realization of its previous limitations vis-à-vis the United States advanced military operations of the previous century as well as pointing to continuity amid change.

This book will be of much interest to students of strategic studies, Chinese politics, Asian security, defense studies, and international relations, in general.