Was China’s military modernisation driven by its ‘humiliation’ in 1996?

Deliberate disruption to America’s GPS is thought to be the reason the PLA ‘lost’ two missiles during a test-firing 25 years ago, and Beijing was determined to never let it happen again

As well as building its own satellite navigation system, China has developed a modern, hi-tech fighting force

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A Taiwanese fighter jet shadows a PLA bomber over the Taiwan Strait in 2020. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 17 Apr 2021Updated: 8:00pm, 17 Apr 2021

The long-running rivalry between China and the United States, including decades of confrontations over Taiwan, have been the driving force for the modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army, including the construction of an advanced naval fleet and development of a global satellite navigation system, observers say.

While Beijing has long realised its main enemy is the US – which is committed to the defence of Taiwan – a setback during missile test-firing in the Taiwan Strait in 1996 heightened the need for China to modernise its navy and learn from its adversary.

“China does not only want to narrow the gap with the US, but also grab some late-mover advantage to concentrate on the development of next-generation weapons,” said Lu Li-Shih, a former instructor at Taiwan’s Naval Academy in Kaohsiung.

“As a latecomer, Beijing has realised the need to focus on next generation weapon technology development,” he said.

“The ultimate goal for the PLA is not only to understand US combat strategies and tactics, but also to avoid letting its rival get an insight into its plan.”

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to “reunify” it.