Capabilities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to Carry Out Military Action in the Event of a Regional Military Conflict

While China is still not a “peer competitor” for the United States military, the PLA’s regional capabilities are anything but “short” or “slow.” Equipped with satellite-based surveillance assets, top-of the-line Russian fighter aircraft, a rapidly modernizing navy, and more than 1,300 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, the PLA can locate, track, and engage any military force operating within 500 miles of the Chinese coastline. Furthermore, Chinese commanders are learning to field and fight a military that realizes the effects and efficiencies inherent in joint warfare. Finally, Beijing’s focus on downsizing the PLA, while simultaneously addressing logistics shortfalls, suggests the Chinese military is preparing to show up ready for a regional battle before the forces of a responding power such as the United States could be positioned effectively in the theater of operations.