How a Changing Central Military Commission Might Shape Future PLA Developments

ASIA FORUM with Roy Kamphausen

How a Changing Central Military Commission Might Shape Future PLA Developments

Wednesday, October 31, 2012,10:00 – 11:30

China’s 18th Party Congress convenes on November 8, 2012 in Beijing. Among the many items on the agenda for this important meeting is the requirement to select a new slate of leaders for the Central Military Commission, the People’s Liberation Army’s highest leadership structure. All but three of the 10 current military members on the CMC are expected to retire. Key issues include whether China’s retiring Communist Party General Secretary – Hu Jintao – will retain his position as CMC Chairman, and what impacts that will have on the PLA. Additionally, the percentage of Navy and Air Force officers on the new team will have important ramifications on potential PLA restructuring, joint operations, and expeditionary operations. Finally, the new CMC faces a number of challenges in the field of Civil-Military affairs. This presentation will provide perspectives on these and other questions.

Roy Kamphausen is a Senior Associate at the National Bureau of Asian Research and an adjunct faculty member at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, as well as a principal at the national security consulting practice, XYDRen. He is a retired U.S. Army officer who served as an analyst, military attaché in Beijing, and policy advisor to past Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense. He has published many articles, including a chapter in the most recent “Strategic Asia” on China’s ground forces. He has edited the last six volumes on the PLA published from the annual Carlisle PLA Conference at the U.S. Army War College. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and Columbia University and is fluent Chinese speaker.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Ebba Mårtensson at emartensson@isdp.eu