Page 19 - 2018 Defense White Paper

informatization by 2020, to modernize China’s national defense and armed forces by 2035, and
Chapter 1
st
to build a globally competitive military by the mid-21 century.
China has accelerated its reform of the armed forces. The 2018 plenary sessions of the National
People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference approved a

defense budget of CNY 1,106.9 billion, which is an 8.1% increase from the previous year. China
also fulf illed the objective to reduce troops by 300,000 personnel in 2.5 years since the plan was
announced in 2015.

The People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) is transforming its regional defensive
concept to a full-spectrum combat concept to meet the strategic requirements of maneuvering
operations and multidimensional attack and defense. To achieve the transformation, the PLAGF

has been reducing the size of the units while further mechanizing the forces and enhancing
sustainment capabilities.
The PLA Navy (PLAN) has been developing an open sea protection strategy, which follows
the coastal defense strategy and the offshore waters defense strategy. The PLAN has also been

improving long-range power projection capabilities by deploying the Liaoning aircraft carrier
in 2012 as well as continuing ef forts to commission the first domestically manufactured aircraft

career.
The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) has shifted the focus of its strategy from the protection of the
mainland to offensive and defensive operations, motivated by modern wars such as the Gulf
War and the Kosovo War. As a result, the number of its interceptor f ighters dedicated to the

protection of the mainland has been reduced, while that of bombers and strategic bombers
for offensive missions has seen a steep increase. The PLAAF has obtained more aircraft that
support long-range operational capabilities, including airborne early warning and control

aircraft, transport aircraft, and aerial refueling tankers, and is accelerating its modernization by
procuring next-generation f ighters.
In order to improve second-strike capability and intermediate-range precision strike capability,

the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) deployed the DF-26 next-generation intermediate-range
ballistic missile along with the new DF-41 ICBM. The PLARF is reportedly developing a new
weapons system to counter the U.S. missile defense systems; it recently f light-tested a DF-17,

a new medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV)
warhead.
The Strategic Support Force (SSF), a new branch of the PLA established on December 31,

Section 2 Security Environment of Northeast Asia 17