Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the principal military force of the People's Republic of China, operating under the command of the Central Military Commission. It comprises ground, naval, air, and rocket forces. The PLA is newsworthy due to ongoing scrutiny of China's intentions toward Taiwan and internal anti-corruption campaigns. Recent US intelligence assessments suggest that while China aims to control Taiwan, an invasion by 2027 is not anticipated, with Beijing reportedly preferring non-forceful unification. Simultaneously, President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive has swept through senior military ranks, highlighting the ongoing effort to maintain discipline and combat corruption within the PLA. These developments underscore the PLA's central role in China's geopolitical strategy and internal political landscape.