The Science of Military Strategy
The Science of Military Strategy (SMS) is one of the main doctrinal military publications of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China on the study of war. It is professionally compiled and edited by the PLA Academy of Military Science (AMS). Four editions have been published so far – 1987, 2001, 2013 and 2020.[1][2] The 2013 edition is a joint work of 35 Chinese military scholars led by Major General Shou Xiaosong.[3] The PLA defines the "science of strategy" as "the discipline of studying the overall situation and rules of war, national defense, and army building".[2]
2001
The 2001 edition is 40% longer than the 2013 edition. The 2001 edition attempted to cover as many dimensions of warfare as possible.[2] Chapters in the 2001 edition included "strategic decision-making, war preparations, war control, strategic deterrence, principles for strategic actions, strategic offense, strategic defense, strategic maneuver, strategic air raids and counter-air raids, strategic information operations, and strategic support". Newer topics in the 2013 edition such as space and cyber strategy are not covered in the 2001 edition[2] The English version of the 2001 edition was purposely revealed to an overseas audience 2005 onwards.[6]
2013
The 2013 edition is an evolution in thinking, and not a revolution, as compared to the 2001 edition. Traditional approaches and concepts such as "active defense" are adapted to current situations. Concepts which were only briefly mentioned or overlooked in the 2001 edition are further elaborated in the 2013 edition such as "forward defense" and "strategic space", concepts linked to expanding the battlespace and attaining greater strategic depth. Further, there is a change in the definition of "military strategy" itself between the first between the 2001 and 2013, with the 2013 definition being broader. The 2013 edition outlines large-scale conflict, conflicts over disputed territories, instability in bordering nations and actions such as sea-lane patrolling. The 2013 edition also challenges traditional thinking, such as the dominance of the ground force.[2]
The 12 chapters cover strategy, China's strategic environment and historic military mission, the development of contemporary wars and the characteristics of war that the PLA may face, international order that China faces, strategic guidance for local wars, military deterrence, non-war military operations, military struggles in the nuclear area, space and cyberspace, building a modern military and specific strategies that PLA could employ in different fields.[1]
China's places itself in an international order that is
In a review of the book, Mingda Qiu says that the "book still has not provided detailed analysis of the efficiency of different methods of deterrence" and that the "theoretical construction is also not well completed to provide in-depth understanding aside from merely description."[1]
Editions
- Military Strategy Research Department, China Academy of Military Science (2013) The science of military strategy. Beijing: Military Science Press
- Peng Guangqian and Yao Youzhi's (eds.) (2005) The Science of Military Strategy 2001. Translated and published by Military Science Publishing House
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Mingda Qiu (September 2015). China’s Science of Military Strategy: Cross-Domain Concepts in the 2013 Edition. CDD Working Paper. University of California, San Diego. Archived on 1 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Fravel, M. Taylor. (April 2016) "China’s Changing Approach to Military Strategy: The Science of Military Strategy from 2001 and 2013." In Joe McReynolds (Ed.), China’s Evolving Military Strategy. Washington, DC: Jamestown Foundation, 2016.
- ^ Gregory Kulacki (March 2015). The Chinese Military Updates China’s Nuclear Strategy. Union of Concerned Scientists.
- ^ Kania, Elsa B.; Vorndick, Wilson. "Weaponizing Biotech: How China's Military Is Preparing for a 'New Domain of Warfare'". Defense One. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
- ^ Kania, Elsa (22 August 2016). "The PLA's Latest Strategic Thinking on the Three Warfares". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ISSN 0028-1484.
Further reading
- The Science of Military Strategy 2013. Chinese Academy of Military Science.
- — In Chinese via — FAS
- — In English via — US Air University.af.edu