Page 21 - 2020 Defence White Paper

China China, with the goal of building a strong world-class military, is
adjusting its military system and organization and reforming its Chapter 1
defense policies and institutions for the modernization and efficiency of the
military. Since President Xi Jinping’s declaration of reducing 300,000 troops in
2015, China has completed its military reform including the establishment of the
combined operational command organization, transition to six military types
(Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, and Joint
Logistics Command), and reorganization from seven military regions to five theater
commands, and it is spurring defense policy and institution reform such as the
improvement of the joint operations command system in 2019.
The People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has accelerated its transition
from "regional defense to full-scale operation" to meet the strategic requirements and
has enhanced its operational capabilities by simplifying the operational command
system from a group army–division–regiment–battalion system to a group army–
brigade–battalion system.
The PLA Navy (PLAN) is improving its strategic deterrence, counterattack, and
maritime maneuvering and joint operational capabilities for the construction of a
modernized navy capable of "offshore defense and defense of national interests in
the open sea". In particular, while focusing on developing modernized weapons and
equipment such as aircraft carriers and new nuclear submarines in order to reinforce
its open sea capabilities, the PLAN established the PLAN Marine Corps (PLANMC)
to strengthen its amphibious operations execution capabilities.
The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is improving its early warning, air strike, and air

defense capabilities in order to achieve the strategic goal of "air-space integration and
attack-defense combination". Also, it is continuing to pursue the field deployment
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of platforms such as airborne early warning and control aircraft and aerial refueling
tankers to enhance its long-range operational capabilities and carry out attack
missions.
With the goal of "possessing both nuclear and conventional missile capabilities
and providing deterrence for the entire region", the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) is
striving to enhance its nuclear deterrence, second-strike, and intermediate and long-
range precision strike capabilities. It is also pursuing the field deployment of next-
generation intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles and new ICBMs while
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focusing on developing new weapons systems as seen through the test firing of a The goal of informatization
and integration of Air and
new medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Space Forces and building
a powerful and modern
(HGV) warhead in response to the US missile defense system. strategic Air Force with
both attack and defense
The PLA Strategic Support Force (SSF) is responsible for carrying out aviation, capabilities

Chapter 1. Changes and Challenges in the Security Environment 19