Pentagon 2012 Report on China is markedly different from the previous ones given that there appears to be acceptance of China's rising military potential and PLAs pat

1. Pentagon 2012 Report on China: PLA’s Rapid Modernisation
Excerpts
The US Department of Defence, “Annual Report To Congress on Military and Security
Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2012”, colloquially known as the
Pentagon Report on China [Report] varies considerably from those of preceding years. For one it
confirms arrival of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as a perspective rival in the decades
ahead with the focus of the Report on PLA modernization. This is a much awaited document by
PLA watchers each year providing a perspective of developments in the force considered as
modernizing at the fastest pace globally.
Comparing 2012 Report with those of the two preceding years (2011 and 2010) indicates
not just capacity enhancement of the PLA but also a shift in the American approach towards that
organization another indication that the Pentagon considers that the former Chinese Red Army
has arrived on the global scene. For one the 2012 Report avoids some of the repetitive portions
that are evident in the previous reports including the Annual Update. Thus Chapter 1 starts
straight on the Military Strategy and Doctrine assuming that the reader is well versed with the
same.
There is no change in the Chinese foreign and security policy as envisaged by the
Pentagon year on year with the PLA continuing to benefit from the peaceful environment
promoting national economic growth as well as modernization. The basic role of the PLA is not
envisaged to have changed from that of, “preserving Communist Party rule [seen as the primary
task], sustaining economic growth and development, defending national sovereignty and
territorial integrity, achieving national unification, maintaining internal stability, and securing
China’s status as a great power”. Seen against the back drop of the recent political events in the
country with the Bo Xilai incident seriously questioning stability and order in the higher
leadership, the role played by the PLA in this crisis would need consideration.
On the key issue of estimation of fiscal resources, the Pentagon Report indicates that
based on 2011 prices military related spending for 2012 could be between $120 billion to $180
billion against the declared budget of $ 106 billion. The estimate for 2010 was $160 billion,
using 2010 prices and $140 Billion plus in 2009. The US estimates are in line with the general
trend in accretion of China’s defence expenditure year on year.
In an aside it is highlighted that the maps of India depicted in the Pentagon report show
the Northern Areas as a part of Pakistan while Aksai Chin is shown separately. This aberration
will have to be taken up by the Ministry of External Affairs at an appropriate forum.
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