People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and an Assessment on Chinese Military Power

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has also been added to the last ring of the chain of possessing to the aircraft carrier which has been considered as being a regional or hegemonic power. Today Liaoning aircraft carrier, considered as the most valuable asset of Chinese Navy, has been the source of pride for all Chinese citizens. The ship named Varyag which had been purchased from Ukraine by a Chinese private company named Macau to be specifically used as a gambling and entertainment purposes, was sent to the China at the beginning of 2000s, and has been in the service for the use of 36 aircrafts as a floating airfield.  However, this source of pride for Chinese people is perceived as a thread for the neighboring countries.  In addition to the countries in the region, the United States is also monitoring the military activities of China and trying to keep the strategic balance of powers in the region. Here there are some questions related to the capacity expansion of PRC to bear in mind. Why does China want to increase its military power over the region? To what extend is she planning to increase its military power, which is one of the elements of national power concept of Hans J.Morgenthau? How does China want to realize its “peaceful rise” rhetoric? While seeking answers to these kinds of questions, this study will try to identify the technological capacity expansion of China.