In a new article for the South China Morning Post, Amber Wang reports that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is sharpening its focus on so‑called ‘disruptive’ technologies as part of its preparation for a centenary of military reform. The piece, the fourth installment of a series, comes shortly after the PLA marked its 99th anniversary on August 1, highlighting a shift toward emerging tech as a core element of China’s future strategy.
Wang notes that the PLA’s evolution is framed in past, present and future terms, with the force now just a year from its centennial goals. She cites an influential book published nearly three decades ago by a PLA strategist who warned that China should pursue asymmetric capabilities rather than simply match U.S. weaponry, a philosophy that the current technology push reflects. The article underscores the PLA’s emphasis on integrating advanced systems—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and hypersonic weapons—into its doctrine.
The focus on disruptive technologies signals a broader modernization effort that could reshape regional security dynamics and reflects China’s ambition to achieve qualitative advantage in future conflicts.