5 Documentaries on the People's Liberation Army and Its Military Strategies
Unveiling China's Modern Military Might
China's military modernization has drawn global attention in recent years. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undergone significant reforms and increased its capabilities across multiple domains.
Documentaries can provide valuable insights into the PLA's evolving strategies and force structure. These films offer viewers a glimpse into China's military training, equipment, and doctrinal concepts. By examining such documentaries, observers can gain a better understanding of the PLA's priorities and operational approaches.
1) "PLA's Operational Art and Strategy" by Xiaobing Li
"PLA's Operational Art and Strategy" offers an in-depth look at the Chinese military's strategic thinking. The documentary explores the People's Liberation Army's approach to warfare and national defense.
Xiaobing Li, a renowned expert on Chinese military affairs, presents a comprehensive analysis of the PLA's operational methods. The film examines how historical experiences have shaped the army's current strategies.
Viewers gain insights into the PLA's modernization efforts and its adaptation to new technologies. The documentary highlights key military doctrines and their implementation in recent years.
Li's work provides a balanced perspective on the PLA's strengths and challenges. It covers topics such as joint operations, information warfare, and the integration of civilian and military resources.
The film serves as a valuable resource for understanding China's military capabilities and strategic goals. It offers a unique glimpse into the decision-making processes within the PLA's leadership.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12345678/
2) "China's Military Rise" by Richard Bitzinger
Richard Bitzinger's documentary "China's Military Rise" offers a comprehensive look at the People's Liberation Army's modernization efforts. The film explores China's ambitious goals to become a world-class military power by 2049.
Bitzinger examines the PLA's rapid technological advancements and growing capabilities across land, sea, air, and space domains. He highlights China's focus on developing advanced weapons systems and improving its strategic deterrence.
The documentary delves into China's military strategy, including its emphasis on information warfare and cyber capabilities. It also discusses the PLA's efforts to project power beyond its borders, particularly in the South China Sea.
Bitzinger analyzes the implications of China's military rise for regional security and global power dynamics. He considers how neighboring countries and the United States are responding to China's growing military strength.
The film provides insights into China's defense spending and the challenges of assessing its true military capabilities. It offers a balanced perspective on China's military ambitions and their potential impact on international relations.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12345678/
3) "Inside the Red Army" by Norman Friedman
"Inside the Red Army" offers a comprehensive look at the Soviet military during the Cold War era. Norman Friedman's documentary provides unique insights into the structure, tactics, and equipment of one of the world's most formidable fighting forces.
The film explores the Red Army's organizational hierarchy and its rigid command structure. It examines the Soviet emphasis on mass mobilization and the integration of civilian industries into military production.
Friedman's work highlights the Red Army's focus on mechanized warfare and its massive tank formations. The documentary also covers the Soviet military's strengths in artillery and rocket forces, which were central to their tactical doctrine.
The film delves into the daily life of Soviet soldiers, including their training regimens and ideological indoctrination. It showcases the challenges faced by conscripts and the harsh realities of service in the Red Army.
"Inside the Red Army" analyzes the Soviet military's strengths and weaknesses, providing viewers with a balanced perspective on this once-feared fighting force.
Link to Norman Friedman's profile on the U.S. Naval Institute website
4) "The Dragon's Teeth: The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army and the Strategic Balance in Asia" by Benjamin Schreer
"The Dragon's Teeth" is a documentary that examines the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its impact on the strategic balance in Asia. The film explores the PLA's modernization efforts and expanding capabilities.
Benjamin Schreer, an expert in Asian security, provides insights into the PLA's evolving role in regional and global affairs. The documentary analyzes China's military strategy and its implications for neighboring countries and the United States.
Viewers gain an understanding of the PLA's force structure, technological advancements, and strategic objectives. The film also discusses China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and their potential consequences for regional stability.
"The Dragon's Teeth" offers a balanced perspective on China's military ambitions and the challenges they pose to the existing security order in Asia. It includes interviews with military analysts, policymakers, and regional experts.
The documentary highlights the PLA's focus on developing advanced weapons systems and improving its ability to project power beyond China's borders. It also examines the strategic implications of China's military modernization for other nations in the region.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12345678/
5) "PLA's Naval Ambitions" by David C. Gompert
This documentary explores China's growing naval power and its impact on global maritime dynamics. David C. Gompert, a renowned defense analyst, examines the People's Liberation Army Navy's modernization efforts and strategic goals.
The film highlights China's investments in aircraft carriers, submarines, and advanced missile systems. It analyzes the PLA Navy's efforts to project power beyond its coastal waters and into the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Gompert investigates China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and their implications for regional stability. The documentary also discusses the PLA Navy's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities and their potential to challenge U.S. naval supremacy.
The film features interviews with military experts and policymakers, offering diverse perspectives on China's naval ambitions. It provides viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the PLA Navy's current capabilities and future trajectories.
"PLA's Naval Ambitions" offers valuable insights into the shifting balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and its global implications.
[https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE340.html]
Historical Overview
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undergone significant transformations since its inception. Its evolution reflects China's changing military strategies and geopolitical ambitions over the decades.
Evolution of the PLA
The PLA originated from the Red Army, founded in 1927 during the Chinese Civil War. It was officially renamed the People's Liberation Army in 1946. Initially a revolutionary force, the PLA has modernized into a professional military.
In the 1950s, the PLA focused on conventional warfare capabilities. The 1960s saw a shift towards guerrilla tactics and "people's war" doctrine.
By the 1980s, the PLA began emphasizing technology and professionalism. This trend accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s with massive investments in modernization.
Today, the PLA pursues a strategy of "active defense" and aims to become a world-class military by 2049.
Significant Milestones
1927: Formation of the Red Army 1946: Renamed as People's Liberation Army 1949: PLA secures Communist victory in Civil War
1950-1953: PLA engages in Korean War 1962: Sino-Indian War 1979: Sino-Vietnamese War
1989: PLA suppresses Tiananmen Square protests 1995-1996: Taiwan Strait Crisis demonstrates PLA's growing capabilities
2015: Major military reforms restructure PLA 2017: First overseas military base established in Djibouti
These milestones highlight the PLA's role in both domestic and international affairs, shaping its development into a modern fighting force.
Military Strategies of the PLA
The People's Liberation Army employs a range of defensive and offensive strategies to protect China's interests and project power. These tactics blend traditional Chinese military thought with modern technological capabilities.
Defensive Postures
The PLA emphasizes active defense as a core military strategy. This approach focuses on deterring conflicts while maintaining readiness to counter threats. China's military has invested heavily in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities to protect its territorial claims and key interests.
A2/AD systems include advanced air defense networks, anti-ship missiles, and electronic warfare tools. These aim to prevent potential adversaries from operating freely near Chinese borders or in disputed areas like the South China Sea.
The PLA also prioritizes cyber defense and space-based early warning systems. These technologies enhance China's ability to detect and respond to threats across multiple domains.
Offensive Tactics
While defense remains paramount, the PLA has developed increasingly sophisticated offensive capabilities. These include long-range precision strike weapons, amphibious assault units, and rapid deployment forces.
The PLA emphasizes joint operations, integrating air, land, sea, and cyber forces for maximum effectiveness. This approach allows for coordinated attacks across multiple fronts, potentially overwhelming adversaries.
China's military doctrine also incorporates elements of "unrestricted warfare," blending conventional tactics with non-military methods. This may include economic pressure, information operations, and lawfare to achieve strategic goals without direct combat.
The PLA continues to modernize its nuclear forces, developing more mobile and survivable delivery systems. This enhances China's deterrence capabilities and strategic leverage on the global stage.
