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China’s military lays out technology road map to catch up with the US

  • PLA must keep pace with the times and emphasise smart technologies according to senior leaders
  • China’s ‘defence capabilities do not match its status in the international community or its national security needs’, analyst says

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China has to apply smart technologies to the modernisation of the PLA, according to one its military leaders. Photo: Xinhua
China must apply cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence if it wants to transform its military into a modern fighting force on a par with those of other leading powers, according to new guidelines and comments from senior leaders.
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The statements come from a booklet published this month by the state-run People’s Publishing House, in which senior officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, outlined the latest five-year plan for the country’s development.
According to a communique released after a high-level meeting last month, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will be transformed into a modern military force by 2027. Analysts say China’s aim is to build an army that is on a par with that of the United States.

In an article titled “Speed up the Modernisation of Defence and Military” from the booklet, Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the importance of smart technologies in modernising the PLA.

Military analyst Ye Jianliang says it is imperative for China to improve its military might to match its economic strength. Photo: Reuters
Military analyst Ye Jianliang says it is imperative for China to improve its military might to match its economic strength. Photo: Reuters
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The military had to be more proactive in designing how war was fought, rather than just responding to conflicts, he said.

“[China has to] keep pace with the developments of the times and emphasise the use of smart technologies to achieve interdisciplinary innovation,” Xu said.

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