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By Srikanth Kondapalli
5 Aug 2005

China’s strategic orientation in this decade revolves around issues related to enhancing its “comprehensive national strength”, and increasing its military capabilities is an important component of this. As one of the critical organs in protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and furthering these causes, the PLA’s capabilities will be tested in coming years, and China has made concerted efforts in modernising its military capabilities. The gradual enhancement in Chinese military capabilities in this decade highlights the significant challenges posed to neighbouring countries, though current military build-up for this decade indicates Chinese orientation towards Taiwan and the South China Sea areas. Nevertheless, China’s resolve to fight and win local wars on its borders poses a challenge to the regional stability, and military capabilities could be displayed in four different scenarios: these include the Taiwan Straits; in the South China Sea with Vietnam (on the Paracel Islands) or Vietnam/Philippines (on the Paracels/Spratly’s Islands); on the Diaoyutai/Senkaku Islands with Japan; and with India on the unresolved boundary issue and regarding the sea lines of communications in the Indian Ocean and Malacca Straits.