Nations like India retain a more combatdriven military culture that contrasts with
China’s avoidance of direct warfare.
Military readiness is often judged by a nation’s ability to engage in and emerge victorious from combat. For the United States, extensive battlefield experience from conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other engagements has shaped its military doctrine, reinforced its leadership structure, and honed its troops’ ability to adapt in high-pressure situations. In stark contrast, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not fought a war since the Sino-Vietnamese conflict of 1979—a fortyyear absence from direct warfare that raises critical questions about its battle preparedness. A military that has not faced live combat may lack the tested resilience needed for war.
While the PLA has undergone significant modernization—investing in advanced weaponry, cyber capabilities, and naval expansion—critics argue that experience matters. Combat teaches lessons that cannot be fully replicated in training scenarios, such as managing unexpected battlefield conditions, leading troops under extreme stress, and adjusting strategies in real time.
The U.S. military, through years of engagements, has developed a decentralized command structure that allows officers at various levels to make tactical decisions autonomously. The PLA, on the other hand, remains highly centralized, reflecting the political structure of China’s ruling system.
This could impact battlefield flexibility and responsiveness in fast-moving combat scenarios. China’s military doctrine emphasizes deterrence rather than direct conflict. Unlike the U.S., which has maintained a global presence through military engagements and alliances, China’s strategy is focused on regional power projection, especially in the South China Sea.
The PLA relies heavily on cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and advanced missile systems to counter perceived threats instead of direct combat deployments. Compared to other nations, China’s approach is closer to Russia’s emphasis on hybrid warfare—mixing cyber operations, economic coercion, and regional influence campaigns with military posturing. Nations like India, which have faced direct conflicts with China and Pakistan, retain a more combat-driven military culture that contrasts with China’s avoidance of direct warfare.
The PLA has modernized its forces at an astonishing rate, building up one of the world’s largest navies and refining its missile systems. However, whether this investment can compensate for a lack of real-world experience remains uncertain. In warfare, strategy, equipment, and preparation matter—but the ability to withstand the chaos of real battle is irreplaceable.
Ultimately, China’s military strategy differs from Western powers in that it favours indirect conflict, technological superiority, and deterrence rather than battle-hardened deployment. But should conflict arise, its ability to adapt to real-time combat conditions will be the ultimate test of its readiness.
Nephew of the Dalai Lama, Khedroob Thondup is a geopolitical expert