China as a major military power National Ambitions,Regional Challenges and International Consequences

摘要

China's growing military power has drawn international attention for the past decade notably in Asia and in the United States.China's future military force and its intentions on its use is a question the leaders of the world are awaiting for.The questions this thesis will answer to are why such a surge in military interest in China, what are the Chinese PLA capacities, what are its intentions and to what consequences the Asian Pacific Region is exposed to.My major findings are that China has engaged in a tremendous modernization plan for the past decade and has the fastest growing army in the world today.It is on the brink of becoming the world's second largest army in the world, with nonetheless, an extremely large gap between the US army that will remain so for a very long time.I will also draw the attention on the shift in the balance of
　　power the rapid rise of Chinese military power has brought in the Asian Pacific region. The consequences of China becoming a major military power are numerous and are accelerating tensions.The priority for the Asia-Pacific region is to focus on appeasement and engagement-My results try to appease the current paranoia on China's army and put into perspective China's military ambitions.However, whilst I temper current fears, I also engage the most involved countries to an utmost precaution and to take the matter very seriously.Even though China is a traditionally defensive country that does not urge to engage in combat-the current lack of trust of the world of China's intentions increases it's assertiveness.Building mutual trust is the priority in the region, and mutual defiance and lack of transparency is the key to growing tensions and unwanted outcomes.China is not a status-quo challenger, but merely a power seeking to assert its influence in its region, partly thanks to its new military capabilities.However, the risk of China growing into an aggressive ultranationalist state is a probability that would only be conditioned under important domestic political and social instability.This possibility should be closely monitored.

目录

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Ⅰ．WHY DOES CHINA SEEK TO BECOME A MAJOR MILITARY POWER?

A．Threats of national sovereignty and territory

a．Internal Threats

b．The Taiwan Issue

c．Sovereign Territorial Claims

B．China needs to protect and support its large appetite for energy

C．A means of asserting its international stature and responsible role

D．China’s revenge on its humiliating history

Ⅱ．WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHARACTEIUSTICS OF CHINA’S EXPECTED MILITARY POWER?

A．China’s growing military budget and questions surrounding its purpose

B．China’s goal of informatization by 2020

C．Ground forces

D．China’s Naval Force

E．China’s Air Force

F．China’s Nuclear Force

G．China’s Cyber Force

H．China’s future military challenges

Ⅲ．HOW IS CHINA LIKELY GOING TO USE ITS GROWING MILITARY CAPABILITY?

A．Non combat operations or Military Diplomacy

a．Participation in un peacekeeping operations

b．Participation in Counter-Piracy Mission on the Somalian Coast

．Military exchanges，joint exercises and foreign assistance

c．Arm Transfers

B．China’s combat operations，a threat or a reality?

a．A war involving China conceivable?

b．What would trigger China’s ultra nationalism to enter combat operations?

c．The Sino-Japanese case：Can it get worse?

d．Interdependence and war，the possibilities

e．Japan and China’s economic interdependence

Ⅳ．WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS AND IMPACTS OF CHINA’S MILITARY AMBITIONS?

A．Balance of Powets in the Asian Pacific

B．China’s military rise conducing to a reshape of its neighbors policies

C．China’s strategic attitude towards regional rebalancing

a．Is China’s ambition to modify the status quo?

b．The Chinese diplomatic and security strategy

D．Recommendations for necessary appeasement

a．Closer ties-Increased regulation and international law

b．Multilateral frameworks

Conclusion

Bibliography

声明