Global Markets
Home›Global Markets›Trade & Tariffs›China targets defense modernization by 2035 ahead of 2…
China targets defense modernization by 2035 ahead of 2027 PLA milestone
China’s stated goals include making the PLA world-class by 2049, with full modernization not expected by the 2027 centenary benchmark.
According to a SCMP Economy interview with retired PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo, Beijing’s military modernization roadmap spans multiple milestones rather than ending with the PLA’s 2027 centenary. Zhou Bo says China has set two major objectives, the centenary of the PLA in 2027 and the centenary of the People’s Republic of China in 2049.
Between those dates, the aim is to modernize national defense and armed forces by 2035, meaning the PLA would not yet be fully modernized by 2027 to China’s own stated standards. Zhou Bo also frames 2049 as the highest objective to build a world-class military, noting that the term is not specifically defined by the Chinese government.
The interview raises the question of what qualifies as a “world-class” military and whether more than one country could fit that standard. It cites the possibility that, even if only the United States is considered world-class, China’s efforts would still target catching up as it closes the gap over time.