Near Peer: China (Understanding the China's Military History) 

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My grandfather's older brother was in the Red Army and died in the Chinese Civil War. My grandmother said that at that time many peasants volunteered to join the communist army, because under Chiang Kai-shek's rule, rioters and prostitutes were rampant. The soldiers rob the food and youth（Forced conscription, shot if you don't go） without compensation (at least the PLA made an IOU, which was paid later), and Chiang Kai-shek was very weak and incompetent towards the Japanese. Chiang Kai-shek was a self-disciplined man, but he was cowardly, jealous, and ruthless. He could not run a Republic of China together with the Communist Party, massacred the docile Communists at that time, and was definitely not a leader respected by the people. So he was abandoned by the people. This is what my grandmother said, not any history book, but her own experience.

Never thought I could see a fair coverage of China by any American. These guys seems to be approaching China from a realistic point of view and also truly want to understand their adversary.

The biggest problem with army intelligence is the language barrier. It's unrealistic to be a China expert without being fluent in Chinese. Experts need to be as fluent in mandarin as Chinese experts are with English. edit: Saw the most concrete example with the Xi's speech at the CCP national congress. He said Taiwan 问题. Some translated it in to 'Taiwan topic,' and others 'Taiwan issue,' or 'Taiwan question' and others 'Taiwan problem.' There's a huge spread of meaning and intent here from benign to hostile. As a decision/policy maker, are you going to rely on a translator to frame your analysis?

When ask why doesn't China negotiation with US on a nuclear limitation treaty, China spokesman ask "is the US saying they are willing to reduce their warhead to our number?" the Chinese do not understand what the American are offering in the treaty, because if the negotiation is to have parity then US would have to massively cut down their nuclear weapon and in such a treaty, China would not have to reduce anything to begin with, if the negotiation is to impose US superiority over China, why would China agree to such term? US position lack clarity, and without clarity the request does not sound honest. China read the request for negotiation more as an attempt to blame China for the failure of negotiation than an honest offer to reduce US weapon threat to China. if US really want negotiation, they have to put an offer ON THE TABLE, else going to talks without an agenda or purpose is useless.

Excellent presentation. Just FYI, 9-line was originally claimed by Taiwan (and is still claimed by Taiwan as Chinese territory). Note that after WW2, none of the other contending countries existed as countries, they were still all colonies of western powers.

Seriously, people are downplaying Mao's strategic abilities in this video. The three great campaigns that led to the CCP victory were all decided by Mao, in opposition to his best generals.

The opinions of the Chinese people in the comment area are the best portrayal. Even high-level American intellectuals still lack a real understanding of China (if this video is not intended to confuse English-speaking people in the name of popular science), your one-sided description of the history before the founding of the People's Republic of China ignores the Chinese people in history. feelings and attitudes. There is a saying in China that history is written by the people and chosen by the people. It was not the Communist Party and the Kuomintang that made history, but all the Chinese people who chose the Communist Party.

7:28, why did Mao switch to having an independent army? Because at that time there were brutal and sudden massacres against the communists, they had to protect themselves. And you have avoided describing the persecution of the communists by Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the bureaucratic capitalist party, in a seemingly objective statement. . . Maybe this is the Western narrative, but as a Chinese, I have to add these historical details.

Like what the presenter said "No one should call themselves an expert on china" for the most part i don't think these researchers have quite understood completely Mao's role in China and his own political history within the CPC. There are still biases and misunderstandings of the questions "what is the CPC and why the CPC.

I spent many years in business dealings with Chinese in the higher echelons of wealth and power. One has to understand their traditional mindset regarding their position in the world and I don't think westerners can grasp it. The Chinese thoughts and core beliefs are not transmissible to most westerners. Study of Chinese history is essential to understand modern Chinese thought. By and large they haven't changed.

You have a good understanding of the military part. However, there are still many wrong understandings about the history of the Chinese Communist Party. After the founding of the CPC, the CPC was divided into two factions. One faction believed that the Soviet Union's path was correct and that it should completely copy the Soviet model, uprising in cities, occupy cities and carry out revolution. The other faction is the local faction thought by Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong thought that the theory of communism should be consistent with the actual situation of China, and that it should carry out revolution in the countryside and mobilize the peasants to carry out revolution. Before 1935, there was always a struggle between the Soviet Party and the native party within the CPC. Most of Mao Zedong's military actions were successful, but the leaders of CPc of the Soviet party seized the right to speak. Therefore, he was always a marginalized figure, and was not even allowed to participate in various meetings and work.

I am surprised by the fair down to earth analysis, after way too much of mainstream media propaganda. Yes, you have to know your enemy to know yourself. I do hope both military strategy makers and most important politicians could truly understand Chinese culture, history and military doctrine. This is the only way to prevent hot war which benefits no one. Well presented, keep up the good work

Respectful discussion! I find the panelists are fair and factual. They are so much more accurate in their statement and assessment of china than the folks on the Capitol Hill or the White House.

Truly superb presentation in every way. I have some research to do! Thank you!

I appreciate how this piece was focused on developing understanding of a current topic, versus reviewing a historical event.

China's communist ideology is totally different from what it originally was. It is communism with Chinese characteristics and capitalism combined. It is a potent combination that has contributed to China's economic and military might today that challenges US's supremacy .

Great and informative video, as a former corporal and a platoon sergeant in the 2nd Brigade (pre-164th Brigade) of PLAMC (2016-2021), PLAMC also adopted a similar combined arms doctrine to that of the army, but there are a few points in the video I cannot concur: 1) PLA has never been a conscript-based military at least since 1949, although legally defined as "conscripts" (during the service soldiers receive no "salary" but "allowances" instead), everyone de facto enlists voluntarily. You may argue that it had not been a "professional" military for a long time, but definitely not conscripts. 2) At the battalion level, there was NOT a "sergeant major" or "platoon/company sergeant" existing before 2017. The battalion HQ only has the battalion commander, political instructor, one or two deputy battalion commanders, and several couriers. But it was accurately pointed out that there were no battalion staff pre-2017.NCOs in Platoon, company, and battalion HQ began to exist in circa 2017. 3) I do not believe that the PLA Group Army is equivalent to the U.S Army Corps, as U.S Army Corps was led by a Lieutenant General and GA was led by a Major General. I'd rather believe the PLA Group Army is equivalent to a reinforced U.S Army Division (reinforced with several combined arms bayonet brigades etc. ) and they are both led by a major general. 4) PLA began experimenting with combined arms battalions as early as 1975 (I read about this in the brigade archive division where there was a copy of PLA Newspaper dated back in 1975 reported an unidentified corps of Beijing Military District began forming combined arms battalion). It's presumed that it failed at that time but definitely provided a scope of the doctrine. I would argue that the PLA combined arms battalion isn't actually based on that of the US but PLA's own experience instead. I mean... yes it did combine elements from different arms, but the focus and emphasis on digitalization is the key during the transformation. It leads to the introduction of digital devices and terminals to almost every squad vehicle to make sure that intel processing burdens can be shared upon each terminal rather than the battalion HQ alone. So the term "combined arms" in the Chinese language is actually more related to digitalization rather than simply combining different arms and professions. Secondly, the PLA has a relatively larger contingent of ground artillery than the equivalent echelon of the US as the PLA relies mainly on ground fire support rather than naval and air fire support (The majority of the combined arms battalions in PLA are also very capable of calling for air support but not a huge fan of it yet AFAIK). Thirdly, PLA employs organic logistics elements to each echelon while the US often attaches them (FSB and FSC) from a higher echelon. Lastly, the PLA combined arms battalion is NOT smaller in size when compared to that of the US, the PLA CABs have 4 maneuver companies, 1 firepower company, 1 combat support company, and 1 HQ element so it's 6 companies plus one HQ element while the ABCT-CAB has only 3 maneuver companies and 1 HQ element so I have no clue where LTC McCaughkin drew the conclusion that Chinese battalions are smaller "in composition" 38:45, enlighten me if possible.

This channel is very different and truly stands out on presentation and informative news. Well done! Subscribed and liked👍

This video felt like it ended a bit too quickly. Great interview, through and through.

China has been a cultural based nation instead of races since about 221 B.C. The language, currency, measuring were standardized since then. So many dynasties were established and collapsed one after another. Some of the dynasties were established by the nomadic people who usually were living north of China; however, all of them were localized or merged into "Han". Long story short, China has been gone through up and down cycles just like four seasons repeating each year. Just like a tree, when the leaves fall in the winter and come back in spring, because the root is always there.

This is the type of presentations quality I look for, no bias or one side story.. excellent work 👏🏻. Thank you. All the best for both nations, hope their govs behave & think about their own people and not world domination.

Very informative and balanced perspective. I’m a Chinese and I would never wish my country and my brothers to go into war with US or any other countries for that matter. But we will always defend our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In China we have always been taught through generations - Our nation comes before our family, before us as individuals.

one-fifth of man kind and in their own court. This with out a doubt, places things into perspective

Great stuff like always!

I would like to begin my comment with a quote from Sunzi: “知己知彼 方能百战不殆”, Which translate as “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated” I am quoting this mainly because I think this American (or to be more specific American Military think tank)'s assessment of China/PLA is spot on regarding most of the issues it covered. There might be a little exaggerated regarding the PLA's capabilities. I mean US's military spending is still more than the next 11 nations combined, let alone the fact that most of them are US's close allies. However it is always better to over estimate your "enemy" than under estimate them. As a Chinese who has lived in the States for the last 15 years (first studied to get my PhD and then work as a research scientist), I see both nations as my beloved parents, and who would want to see their parents fighting each other? However, through out of the years, I have been hearing an increasing amount of narratives which basically treat the other side as a potential enemy. This documentary is just one another example. It is seems from history patterns, that whenever a new power rises, there will be a fight. And if that pattern holds, just like what LTC Dave Mc Caughrin says "Its not a matter of if, its a matter of when" that the two forces will eventually cross swords. I don't want to believe this theory or prediction, but pathetically my logic tells me that might be true, so now all I can do is hoping that day may never come, just be as late as possible. I do hope you guys could understand my feelings over these issues.

one of the few pieces that are produced by experts that know their stuff about China, and where the assessments are based on facts, not on wishful thinking or hearsay.

Great video. But most folks seem to think that. Need more (and we need one from the Navy and the Air Force).

"We will fight the enemy in our own way, at the time we determine, in the place we determine. We'll not act according to the enemy's plot, nor will we fall into the enemy's trap, " Mao Zedong.

Enjoyed this video because it is objective without bias and not a western propaganda.

You thought official medias from the UsS military will be propaganda, but actually it's one of the most objective analysis on China's military there is.

I think the guy in the dark suit said it really well in the end "the issue [the US] need to think our way through [or] the question remains will america make that attitudinal adjustment that's necessary to live in a future world at peace albeit competitive[ly] but at peace..." with a gradually rising near peer china? I believe the answer to that question is: its going to be very difficult for the US to make that attitudinal adjustment without significant bloodshed on both sides! which is very sad for everyone!

Tremendous insight and profound knowledge ❤

19:47 Just want to pointing out a mistake in the map of China. Fine, let’s put aside the Taiwan issue. But, how about Hainan? The large island southern of the mainland. If you really want to understand China, please pay respect to the basic geographical facts.

That was great effort. Will want to use for our school house as a prereq for all the courses we hold in person.

Very good rational discussion. Good educational documentary. Thank you

It’s the 1919 Paris Accord after WW1 that drove China into a new direction, Mao was heavily influenced by two of his communist mentors Chan and Lee whose doctrines had influenced the Chinese leaders, in particular Xi who endorsed the making of a TV series in 2021 to commemorate the influence and achievements of Chan and Lee

17:18 “China views everyone as competiors” this sentence can be applied to all countries. It basically means nothing. This is how a country can survive in the world.

Oh, I love your program. Well, done, gentlemen well done.

I particularly liked and appreciated Dr Geoff Babb realistic view. It's odd, the U.S. for all intent and purposes help facilitate rise of modern China and now it's woken to the fact it can no longer influence nor control it like it thought it could. Nice to see the U.S. rushing, alas far to late, to understand Chinese history, culture, after over a century of neglect. But then again, it did the same with both the Vietnamese and Chinese during the Viet Nam War.

Very well made, its respectful and not a bunch of mud slinging.

Excellent, analysis and presentation without bias and laying the truth. 🇺🇸

AUP has done an excellent job with this presentation.

These are fantastic productions! Thanks!

Absolutely brilliant. This is probably one of the most well put together videos that I have found regarding China & the US. It is inevitable both will clash, but hopefully it never goes beyond basic competition & only for the best of all of mankind.

Well as a chinese, i have 2 say it's a high quality presentation，we really need 2 know each other batter

Understand this movie is mainly for Americans , that this is the most objective I have seen.

Civil war is not finished yet, and Taiwan is still last piece of puzzle.

Very good video, makes both the Chinese and the Americans rest easy after watching👍🏻

THIS IS ONE OF THE PRACTICAL BASE ANALYSIS I EVER WATCHED

This is such great and professional video, and I thought it's about imaginary PLA UAV. Appreciated from 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳 and peace 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Good document, We appreciate it.

Excellent in depth analysis and presentation without bias!

A very sober examination. Dr. Geoff Babb seems like a very knowledgeable professor.

Fantastically well made

Hmm, Mao was a major factor in the Long March and the development of Guerilla Warfare. He may not have been the best general, certainly not the best conventional general, but as a militant revolutionary, he was quite adept.

Wait.....Nothing about Korean War? I couldn't believe this and watched the clip again. LOL. For the US military, there is just no way to understand Chinese military without looking long and hard at Korean War 1950~1953, when the PLA had the largest gap behind the US military might.

Thank you for the sober analysis of the current geo-political salutation from a military perspective.

Excellent work, top quality!

15:57 is incorrect, those are Hong Kong police force officers of the riot control branch, not the PAP from the mainland.

Outstanding, fair minded, objective analysis of Chinas military capabilities.

Very nice presentation! probably the biggest advantaged we (the United States of America and NATO) have is that we have much more experience and more budget in total, but those are still not reasons to underestimate our peers, as underestimating an opponent is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, such as how Russia saw Ukraine before February 24th, 2022.

Didn’t expect a history documentary when I clicked in😅

Excellent video that should be seen more than once by all Americans! “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Sun Tzu! War should be an instrument of national survival not a tool to get votes! I used the incendiary and inaccurate term enemy but am quoting someone. The relation ship between China and the US is COMPLICATED but competitor would be a less incendiary term but Sun Tzu did use the word enemy to the best of my knowledge. I was called on the word enemy by K and have added this section to clarify. My goal at least is to make bilateral relations good and the word enemy does not do this. I will endeavor to be more intelligent in the use of language about this important topic in the future!

These guys describe China's efforts to defend their land and sea against outside aggression. But it's interesting that they don't see their own actions in building bases around China as aggressive.

Good video ! US shouldn't worry China's growth if you don't go to their backyard and provoke matters.

The concluding remarks redeemed this video. This cannot be about conflict and confrontation and hegemony. This must be about diplomacy and negotiations and respect between (near) peers.

Modinger was actually inaccurate about Mao in his leadership competence in the Red Army. Mao was not a centric figure in early Red Army because of the structure of Communist International. Red Army suffered great losses in early stage against nationalists because of the bad judgments by the Soviet, though in good faith. It was a major different revolutionary background in China vs Soviet so many experiences did not apply. A good example is the theory of 农村包围城市. This was also a reason why the famous Long March happened. After Zunyi meeting, Mao became influential in the power center, and the Red Army started to gain more strength. You could find a lot of evidence in the party documents etc.

20:00 Y'all butchered the map here. Northeastern India isn't shaded into India, and Myanmar (which borders China, and is politically interfered by China) is labeled as Thailand (which does not border China, but the ruling regime does collaborate with China somewhat).

Very objective, well done.

This was fantastic.

As a Chinese, I am partially relieved to know the existence of these rational gentlemen, but not fully because whether the highest commander is rational enough or not is another issue

A nice talking about China military and so on 👏👏👍👍

Very sensible analysis.

This is pretty good👍🏾

do u guys know the 9 dash line is inheritage from 11 dash line which claim by ROC(which rule taiwan now) under United State of America navy's help?

If only everything about China was well researched like this

‘To subdue the enemy without fighting is the Acme skill in the art of war” Sun Tzu.

41:57 very well said. Think your way through that.

This is a real piece of strategic thinking instead of propoganda everywhere else.

Thank you. I live in South Africa. Concerned about my country. Valuable information and insight.

Rzetelne rozpoznanie zagrożenia.

Thank you!

Good video, the only defect of the video is that Mao's military achievements are underestimated. Mao is actually the most genius military strategist in Chinese history.

The minimum is to stay clear of Taiwan and south China seas… You know the best defence is to stop intimidating China and treat her as an equal.

very timely documentry

I haven't finished watching found a mistake. The nine-dashed line is not created by Xi. The Republic of China(KMT or Taiwan now) claim the 11-dashed line. Later, Mao thought it was too overbearing and reduced it to the nine-dashed line. It's just that the military strength in that time was too weak so in the past, claiming is just claiming.

As a Chinese mainlander, but an expate overseas - so no need to criticise why I post here, I'd like to raise several misleading arguments in this video, which is streamlined by assertions. 1. The origin of the name Zhongguo- center country, has no relation to any perception of Chinese nation's arrogance to be the center-or the height of nations, it was only a geographic term that reflect their understanding of their where about. In regarding to the national personality, Chinese as a nation has its trait of humble, modesty and unsaggressiveness, thankful to the deep root of Confusious phylosophy; 2. China now has no willing to be the great power in the world, militarily or economically, It is pursuing the equally among all nations. in other words, it doesn't accept the current rule that a minority of nations and population dominate the world, and under a Zero-Sum ideology, the other nations and population including China servers as the fertilizer to nuture the alegance of the minors. 3. China doesn't see everyone else like enemy, it only see who decided to be that of Chinese, enemies. eg the US, the Japanese, and the US controlled Anglo-Saxon nations.

可以设想一下，没有中国共产党领导的军队在日本占领区进行游击战和破交战，日本被困在中国的兵力会少很多，物资运送到前线也会更容易。在1937-1945年间，蒋介石一直派使者与日本人接触，有几次都考虑投降（即使他投降，中国人民也会在共产党领导下取得胜利）。1946-1949年的解放战争表明，失去民心，不能代表中国人民利益的蒋介石会失败得十分迅速。

Wow this was really good

Really interesting analysis

Mao was military genius. He got vision. The generals did all the fighting in the front but was Mao decided where to attack and how to attack. Especially in the civil war and Korea war.

15:56 That's not the PAP, that's HK police

FINALLY! PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY SEE ! I have been saying this for years! People say I'm nuts! I recommend they read SUN TUZ! This is a Great segment!

谢谢，希望人类和平，让人类迈向宇宙。这是人类几万年来最有希望突破地球的时代，错过了也许就不会有下一次了。

I really have to start introducing my neighbors as my "near peers". I'm certain I'll make many more friends with this strategic move.

Peace & Respect.

Great video!

There is a glaring error in the assessment of the technological development of the Chinese military: it's accelerating not plateauing in the recent years. Look no further than the Zhuhai Air Show 2022, do those new hardware (albeit for export only) mushroomed in every military field look like from a technologically plateauing force?

3:48 you are wrong, one of the reasons why Mao was so respected and admired by the whole nation just because he was a great military artist. WHAT? he didn't deserve it (his military power)? hahahaha okay, okay, then who command the battle in Korean War to beat you guys back to 38 lines?? Mao is the general command in Beijing not Peng dehuai, who just did what Mao told him to do in the big view. Yes, small or concrete battles were directed by Peng since he was the frontbattle commander.