Impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese Armed Forces

Takshashila Strategic Assessment:

This assessment examines the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). We argue that:

• Claims of zero COVID-19 infections in the PLA do not stand up to scrutiny.

• The outbreak has had a limited, short-term impact on China’s defence industry and armed forces recruitment. Long-term impacts will depend upon China’s economic recovery.

• The PLA’s aggressive maritime posturing amid the global pandemic is likely to prove counterproductive in the long run.

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