People's war principle drives PLA development

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. The year also marks the final phase of the journey toward achieving the centenary goals of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, making it necessary to stay on track, harness the core strengths of a "people's war" and mobilize the people for just causes.

Marxism holds that what is called history is nothing but the creation of man by human labor. In other words, people are the decisive force behind progress. The theory of people's war is rooted in this principle, and emphasizes that people, not weapons, ultimately determine the outcome of war.

The legacy of people's war has been evolving over the past 80 years. In today's era of multi-domain competition, victory depends on maintaining a strong bond with the people, adapting to technological and tactical changes, and mobilizing the people.

During the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Communist Party of China mobilized the people, established base areas behind enemy lines, and gained support from a cross-section of society. By organizing guerrilla forces and militias, the Party developed a combat system integrating trained troops, armed civilians and local forces to counter the enemy.

The Party-led people's war is the foundation of the PLA's combat effectiveness and its key strategic advantage. At its core lies the truth that people are the real source of military strength. Guided by this principle, the people's armed forces have, from their modest beginnings, transformed into a major military force. As Chairman Mao Zedong emphasized in On Protracted War, mobilizing the people compensates for inferior equipment and brings victory despite adverse conditions.

On the open plains of North China, where natural cover was limited, the Party-led troops and civilians built hidden tunnels, planted landmines, and used "sparrow warfare" (hit-and-run) tactics to immobilize the Japanese forces, thwarting the enemy's "mopping-up" operations. The campaign demonstrated the creativity and decisive role of the people in the war.

Adhering to the philosophy of people's war, the Party developed a complete system of strategies and tactics based on actual conditions. From the guerrilla warfare of the Red Army and immobilizing of the Japanese forces to the strategic adjustments during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53) and the post-1949 military reforms, the PLA has been learning from its experiences.

By advancing the concept of people's war in line with the evolving times, the PLA has made remarkable achievements, including defeating stronger enemies in war and safeguarding national interests during peacetime.

Today, technological advancement in fields such as information networks, artificial intelligence, and multi-domain battlefields has transformed the nature of warfare, with joint operations becoming the core of modern combat and creating new opportunities for people's participation in national defense.

Yet victory in warfare still stems from the people. To ensure the PLA achieves its centenary goals and becomes a world-class defense force, China must combine the principle of people's war and advanced technologies to work out its future defense strategy.

People's expertise in information and communications technology, data and innovation is a vital strategic resource and a decisive advantage in modern warfare. As such, China needs to leverage digital tools such as big data, AI and cloud computing to enhance cyber intelligence and improve communication mechanisms that help build public consensus on national defense.

Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce unity between the PLA, the government and the people, and promote a strong social ethos to boost national defense.

History tells us that the people are the foundation of military success. In the pursuit of its centenary goals despite facing new technological challenges, the PLA should continue to rely on the people, leveraging their combined strength and protecting their interests. By adhering to the people's war principle, developing new strategies, and integrating advanced technologies into its military modernization plan, China can strengthen its armed forces and ensure they deter aggression, prevent conflict, and maintain peace.

Zhang Chi is a professor at the PLA National Defense University and Ma Xiaomeng is a librarian of the PLA National Defense University Library. 

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