Photo courtesy of China Army
China’s restructuring of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) represents more than just a military reorganization—it’s a bold statement of Beijing’s ambitions to challenge American interests and reshape the global balance of power.
For decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has viewed the United States as the primary obstacle to its goal of national rejuvenation, which includes the forced unification of Taiwan and the expansion of authoritarian influence worldwide. The PLA’s modernization is not only a direct threat to America’s allies in the Indo-Pacific—most notably Taiwan—but also a calculated strategy to undermine democracy and freedom on a global scale.
Xi Jinping’s vision of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” hinges on building a modern, capable military to safeguard China’s development, territorial integrity, and the survival of the Communist Party (CCP). Drawing lessons from historical humiliations, such as imperial decline and Japanese occupation, Xi underscores military strength as essential to national security. Since taking power, he has prioritized modernizing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by overhauling command structures, updating training, and strengthening civil-military technological cooperation.
Central to this modernization is Beijing’s goal of “full reunification,” with Taiwan seen as essential to China’s sovereignty and stability. The CCP views Taiwan’s independence as a threat, dismisses its democratic elections as illegitimate, and justifies the use of force through the 2005 Anti-Secession Law if peaceful reunification fails. To achieve this, the PRC is building a world-class military capable of asserting control over Taiwan and countering external challenges.
The restructuring of the PLA is central to Xi Jinping’s vision of transforming China’s military into a world-class force by mid-century. This strategy, outlined at the 19th Party Congress in 2017, establishes clear milestones: achieving mechanization and technological advancements by 2020, completing national defense modernization by 2035, and building a globally dominant military by 2049. The 2027 modernization milestone focuses on integrating mechanization, informatization, and intelligentization, enhancing the PLA’s capacity to support the forced annexation of Taiwan.
The PRC’s defense policy, as detailed in its 2019 white paper, prioritizes safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development interests. Key objectives include deterring aggression, countering separatist movements, opposing Taiwan’s independence, and protecting territorial integrity. Beyond these goals, the PLA also seeks to secure maritime, space, cyber, and electromagnetic domains while safeguarding overseas interests and promoting sustainable national development—highlighting the increasing role of military power in advancing the CCP’s regional and global ambitions.
Apart from its ambitious modernization efforts, the PLA is also undergoing extensive restructuring across all its branches—Ground Force, Navy (PLAN), Air Force (PLAAF), Rocket Force (PLARF), and the newly reorganized Strategic Support Force (SSF). These structural reforms are strategically designed to enhance the PLA’s operational capabilities across all domains.
The People’s Liberation Army Ground Force has prioritized Taiwan as a contingency, evidenced by its reorganization, amphibious training, and enhanced capabilities for rapid strikes and large-scale amphibious operations. Six amphibious brigades—four in the Eastern Theater Command (ETC) and two in the Southern Theater Command—conduct realistic, large-scale training involving sea, air, and ground unmanned systems to refine tactics for potential beach assaults and logistical support in challenging conditions.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has bolstered its capabilities with advanced surface combatants, submarines, and fourth-generation naval aircraft designed to achieve maritime superiority around Taiwan and counter third-party intervention. The commissioning of new YUSHEN-class amphibious assault ships and the use of civilian vessels to supplement amphibious capacity underscore the PLAN’s strategic focus, despite its modest investments in traditional landing craft.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has maintained a robust force posture with advanced aircraft capable of conducting sustained operations against Taiwan, bolstered by long-range air defense systems and improved refueling capabilities to counter third-party intervention. Enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets further strengthen the PLA’s operational readiness, ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive approach to a potential Taiwan conflict.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has transferred around 300 land-based aircraft to the Air Force (PLAAF) to focus on improving carrier-based air operations. Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) has increased its presence along the Taiwan Strait with new missile brigades, signaling a growing stockpile of missiles ready to target Taiwan’s command and control (C2) facilities, air bases, and radar sites to degrade defenses, neutralize leadership, and weaken public resolve.
The restructuring of the Strategic Support Force (SSF) into the Aerospace Force (ASF), Cyber Support Force (CSF), and Information Support Force (ISF) reflects an emphasis on space, cyberspace, and electronic warfare (EW) domains. These units are tasked with achieving information dominance during a Taiwan contingency. Additionally, the former SSF’s 311 Base continues to focus on political and psychological warfare, including propaganda campaigns to sway Taiwanese public opinion and promote Beijing’s narrative. Collectively, these capabilities enable the PLA to integrate strategic intelligence, EW, and psychological operations into its broader Taiwan strategy.
The PRC has refined its military reforms by organizing its forces into five Theater Commands—Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and Central—aligned with Beijing’s strategic ambitions and threat perceptions. The Eastern Theater Command (ETC), which focuses on Taiwan and the East China Sea, is expected to lead any potential campaign against Taiwan.
The loss of Taiwan would deal a significant blow to the United States, not just morally or ideologically but also in practical and economic terms. Taiwan stands as a solid U.S. ally only 81 miles from China’s shores. If Beijing were to seize Taiwan, it would not only undermine U.S. surveillance capabilities in the region but also compromise control of the Taiwan Strait, granting China the ability to disrupt global shipping routes. For these reasons, preserving Taiwan is a critical pillar of U.S. defense strategy. However, the PLA’s modernization and reorganization have raised the stakes, making Taiwan’s defense and China’s containment increasingly costly and challenging for the United States.
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