Inside the PLA’s Accelerating Modernization: A Conversation with John Culver

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Bonnie Lin interviews John Culver about the state of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) under Xi Jinping. Culver highlights Xi's ongoing removal of senior PLA leaders, interpreting it as a sign of Xi's dissatisfaction with the PLA's progress and loyalty. The conversation covers the September 3rd military parade, where China showcased advancements in nuclear delivery systems, undersea warfare capabilities, and unmanned aircraft, signaling a shift from minimal deterrence. They also discuss China's potential reliance on Russia and North Korea in a large-scale conflict and analyze the absence of a major Chinese military exercise after Taiwan's National Day, relating it to restrained actions by Taiwan's President Lai and strategic considerations in US-China relations. The discussion concludes with an assessment of China's Coast Guard and the challenges in predicting replacements for key PLA positions.