The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine
The British Army’s miraculous escape from Nazi Germany’s encirclement at Dunkirk is considered by some to be the greatest military retreat in modern history and a prime example of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Yet years before Dunkirk, the military retreat by the Chinese Red Army, known as the Long March, was more impressive and consequential. While the Dunkirk evacuation remains in…
China's active defence doctrine, born from the Long March, is a cornerstone of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) strategic planning. This doctrine, which emerged from the ashes of Mao Zedong's political resurrection, emphasizes mobility, surprise, and the exploitation of enemy weaknesses. Rather than relying on numerical superiority, the PLA employs stealth, infiltration, and rapid concentration of force to achieve decisive local advantages.
The doctrine diverges from traditional guerrilla warfare by integrating it into a broader strategic vision that prioritizes maneuverability and the control of time and space. The PLA's modernization efforts, including advanced weaponry and capabilities, are all designed to support this active defence paradigm. Despite its numerical disadvantages in past conflicts, the PLA has consistently managed to secure victories through its unique approach to warfare, reflecting a deep-seated philosophical commitment to outmaneuvering adversaries rather than directly confronting them.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
