AsiaInt Political and Strategic Review, August 2004
2,345 words

On 1 August China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) marked the 77th anniversary of its founding with the customary processions, parades, and drills. These were the latest in a series of events designed to demonstrate China's military power; the principle intended audience being Taiwan and the US. One implication is that Beijing is preparing for conflict between the three - and demonstrating its determination in the long run to challenge the US's military superiority in Asia. But the various army exercises of the past month mask a dilemma over policymaking in China which suggests the future of its military and strategic planning is less clear cut_

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