China as Threat

Chinese leadership fears loss of control because of the precidents of the Soviet collapse and Tiannenmen Square. One of their greatest perceived threats comes in loss of support from the PLA--or Peoples' Liberation Army. They have just issued another Defense White Paper, where they propose to accelerate the alteration of the PLA into a more submissive instrument to Chinese leadership policy. They intend to do this by a number of Initiatives--most ongoing for the past decade or more:
1) increased indoctrinization of military personnel
2) reduction of total military force levels to loyal membership
3) Separation of military personnel from local social activities
4) Forestalling military personnel from developing equivalent pay alternative Employment skills
5) Paying military personnel higher Wages.

Some very telling quotes from the Paper:

Since the founding of New China, the work of supporting the PLA and giving preferential treatment to families of servicemen and martyrs has been gradually legalized and standardized. The State Council has, in succession, promulgated the Regulations on the Commendation of Revolutionary Martyrs, the Regulations on Compensation and Preferential Treatment for Servicemen and the Regulations on the Resettlement of Demobilized Conscripts. It has also formulated and issued policies and statutes on the resettlement of officers transferred to civilian work, on the employment of the accompanying spouses of officers, and on safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of servicemen and their families. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the PLA General Political Department jointly issue circulars on New Year's Day, the Spring Festival and Army Day every year on the arrangements for the work of supporting the PLA and giving preferential treatment to families of servicemen and martyrs and supporting the government and cherishing the people

In December 2003, the new Regulations on the Political Work of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was revised and promulgated. The regulation maintains that political work is the fundamental guarantee of the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and the assurance for the armed forces to accomplish their missions. It clearly defines political work as a significant component of combat capabilities of the PLA, and stresses the importance of giving full play to the combat function of political work. Education in the RMA with Chinese characteristics is given PLA-wide. Wartime political work is studied and rehearsed extensively. Political work is strengthened in all services and arms as well as the units carrying out special missions. Education in the PLA's functions and sense of urgency has been intensified in the PLA so that officers and men are motivated in their trainings and a tough fighting spirit and a good working style are fostered.

Implementing the Strategic Project for Talented People, the PLA focuses on training a new type of high-caliber military personnel.
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The Chinese leadership feels threatened by the rise of civil unrest brought on by the growing disperity between Rich and Poor, Rural and Urban in China. The number of riots in China have been increasing greatly in percentage, with widespread vocalized resentment of Governmental officialdom. The numerial increase in Defense White Papers (more than one per year since 2000) indicate their dependence on the PLA to stay in power. They are losing the support of the civilian population, who want better living conditions and more equitable distribution of Wealth. The real threat from Chinese leadership comes over the Tiawan Issue, with the Separatist movement, which is a political high-Prestige issue for the Leadership; they having publicly indoctrinated both PLA and the masses in the One China concept. It is the Issue which could finally bring down a outdated regime. lgl