Title page
Contents
Executive Summary 3
1. ANNUAL UPDATE 8
DEVELOPMENTS IN MILITARY STRUCTURE, DOCTRINE, AND TRAINING 9
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT 13
DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA'S TERRITORIAL DISPUTES 15
DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA'S FOREIGN MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS 19
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS 29
CURRENT CAPABILITIES OF THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY 30
2. UNDERSTANDING CHINA'S STRATEGY 47
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 48
MILITARY STRATEGY 49
FOREIGN POLICY 51
FACTORS SHAPING CHINA'S LEADERSHIP PERCEPTIONS 55
FOREIGN MILITARY ENGAGEMENT 56
3. FORCE MODERNIZATION GOALS AND TRENDS 63
PLA CAPABILITIES IN DEVELOPMENT 64
4. RESOURCES FOR FORCE MODERNIZATION 82
MILITARY EXPENDITURES TRENDS 83
DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS IN CHINA'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY 84
MILITARY EQUIPMENT MODERNIZATION TRENDS 85
5. FORCE MODERNIZATION FOR A TAIWAN CONTINGENCY 91
CHINA'S STRATEGY IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT 92
CHINA'S COURSES OF ACTION AGAINST TAIWAN 93
THE PLA'S CURRENT POSTURE FOR A TAIWAN CONFLICT 95
TAIWAN'S DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES 96
6. U.S.-CHINA MILITARY-TO-MILITARY CONTACTS 98
STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT 99
MILITARY-TO-MILITARY ENGAGEMENT IN 2015-HIGHLIGHTS 100
PLANNING FOR MILITARY-TO-MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS IN 2016 105
SPECIAL TOPIC: POLITICAL WORK IN THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY 106
APPENDIX I. MILITARY-TO MILITARY EXCHANGES 107
APPENDIX II. CHINA AND TAIWAN FORCES DATA IN 2015 111
APPENDIX III. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA REGARDING THE RULES OF... 114
APPENDIX IV. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE ON NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR MILITARY... 137