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Taiwan
ChinaMilitary

Call for PLA to use AI for ‘smart deterrence’ against US over Taiwan

  • The concept is being studied within the Chinese military, according to expert on Taiwanese affairs
  • He says PLA could become leader in intelligent warfare, drawing on capabilities including AI, cloud computing and big data

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The People’s Liberation Army has ramped up drills around Taiwan in recent months. Photo: Xinhua
Amber Wangin Beijing
The People’s Liberation Army should make more use of artificial intelligence to strengthen its deterrence strategy against the United States over Taiwan, according to a Chinese expert on Taiwanese affairs.
Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies, said the PLA should conduct blockade exercises around the island and use AI technology to deter US interference and Taiwanese independence forces.

He said the concept of “smart deterrence” was being studied within the PLA.

Ni made the remarks in an article in the journal Cross-Strait Taiwan Studies, which was posted on its social media account earlier this week.

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He suggested the PLA could become a leader in future intelligent warfare, drawing on capabilities in AI, cloud computing, big data, cyber offence and defence, and unmanned equipment.

Ni also called for the PLA to normalise military drills that cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait – the de facto sea border separating mainland China from Taiwan – and that approach the baseline of the island’s territorial waters and cut off transport.

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It comes after the PLA staged unprecedented live-fire exercises that encircled the self-ruled island amid heightened tensions after then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August. The trip angered Beijing, which saw it as a violation of its sovereignty.

The PLA also ramped up drills around the island after US President Joe Biden last month signed the latest National Defence Authorisation Act, which includes financing arms for Taiwan.

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