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Cablegate: Chinese Academy of Military Sciences Describes

Published: Fri 31 Aug 2007 10:08 AM
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SUBJECT: CHINESE ACADEMY OF MILITARY SCIENCES DESCRIBES
MILITARY STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TO CODEL SKELTON
1. (SBU) PLA General Zheng Shenxia told CODEL Skelton that
transparency in strategic intent and expanded
military-to-military exchanges enhance our bilateral
relations and contribute to the stability of the Taiwan
Strait. General Zheng, Director of the Academy of Military
Science, discussed the Academy's role in formulation and
execution of China's strategic military doctrine. The
Academy chooses its research staff from among the PLA's
combat units as well as military research institutes and
headquarters. AMS has begun using modeling and simulation
support for doctrine development and looks forward to working
with the United States in developing antiterrorism
strategies. "Active Defense," which includes the principles
of having no military alliances and no troops posted
overseas, continues to be the backbone of China's strategy.
Active Defense strategy includes "proactive measures" to
ensure Taiwan does not become independent. End Summary.
2. (U) A delegation led by House Armed Services Committee
Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and including Representatives
Randy Forbes (R-VA), John Spratt (R-SC), Robin Hayes (R-NC),
Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Delegate
Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) and Rear Admiral Mark Ferguson, met
with GEN Zheng Shenxia, Director of the Academy of Military
Science (AMS), at the Academy August 27.
ROLE OF THE AMS
---------------
3. (SBU) GEN Zheng said the National Defense University's
purpose is to integrate new strategic and operational
theories into PLA doctrine and training. The AMS, in
contrast, is a research institute which studies military
theory and proposes innovations. It is the center of
military studies for the PLA and works directly for the
Central Military Commission (CMC). The Academy has four
departments and one institution: 1) Department of War Theory
and Strategic Studies; 2) Department of Operational Theory
and Doctrine; 3) Department of Military Force Building
Studies; 4) Department of World Military Studies; and the
Institute for Military Operations Research and Military
Analysis. The Academy has 350 full-time researchers from
various services and branches as well as military institutes,
headquarters and other institutions. The Academy conducts
research in accordance with the missions designated by the
CMC as well as other major issues of interest, and then
presents these reports to the CMC for possible inclusion in
PLA doctrine. The Academy is an advisory body whose
Department heads are chosen from among combat units as well
as PLA educational institutions.
4. (SBU) GEN Zheng underscored the rarity of true strategic
thinkers and admitted there is great demand from the CMC and
PLA for military theories. "We have made great efforts, but
still there are many gaps." He agreed that it is difficult
to find thinkers capable in both operational and strategic
theory that can keep pace with the developments in military
affairs.
REDUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF MISUNDERSTANDING
--------------------------------------------
5. (SBU) GEN Zheng said he has discussed strategy
development and implementation with numerous U.S. Department
of Defense officials and academics. The best way to avoid
misunderstanding, he stressed, is to have transparent
intentions in national strategy. "Our strategy has remained
the same for a long time: Do not form military alliances.
Do not deploy forces abroad. Do not have an expansionist
military strategy." The development of the PLA is solely
based on the need to protect China. China is trying to shift
its research methods from solely qualitative to quantitative
and qualitative research. China conducts simulations which
combine operational theories with current conditions. Noting
differences in Chinese and U.S. culture, General Zheng said
we should base our mil-to-mil exchanges on mutual respect and
common interests. Military transparency is enhanced through
"mutual political confidence," General Zheng said, noting
that new units, such as the Second Artillery, have now been
opened to visiting delegations.
TERRORISM AND WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
-----------------------------------------
6. (SBU) General Zheng said research into the threat of
terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction is "just
proceeding" at AMS, and although the tactics and techniques
of anti-terrorism are not a specialty of the Academy, he
hopes the United States and China can discuss the issue and
share experiences and methods for preventing proliferation.
"Today, time is limited," he said. "Later, I would like to
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make this a topic of discussion."
7. (SBU) Representative Hayes (R-NC) congratulated GEN Zheng
on China's impressive economic development and hosting of the
2008 Olympic Games and noted that such success could attract
terrorist attacks. General Zheng said that while the CMC has
assigned the task of developing a strategic theory of
antiterrorism to the Academy, China still does not fully
understand the threat.
WHAT IS ACTIVE DEFENSE?
-----------------------
8. (SBU) General Zheng said that Active Defense has been
China's strategy for a long time and that "Passive Defense"
is inadequate for certain threats, in particular, the
separatist activities of (Taiwan President) Chen Shui-bian.
As long as Taiwan does not seek to split from China, then
China will not use force. Otherwise, something "more than
defense" might be necessary. Zheng avoided Congressman
Flake's (R-AZ) direct question regarding the PRC's
Taiwan-related redlines.
9. (SBU) Chairman Skelton, acknowledging the importance and
success of senior officer exchanges, said it is also
important for lieutenants and captains to "make friendships
early in their careers, before they have stars on their
shoulders." General Zhang agreed with the Chairman and said
that China already has an exchange program with the United
States Military Academy. He reiterated the PLA's support for
continued and expanded officer exchange programs.
10. (U) The delegation cleared this cable.
Randt
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