China modernized its military under Deng Xiaoping by
a. increasing its size and taking on more missions.
b. decreasing its size and cutting technology.
c. increasing its size and updating technology.
d. decreasing its size and updating technology.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
d. decreasing its size and updating technology.
Explanation:
When Deng Xiaoping became China’s paramount leader in the late 1970s, he focused on modernizing China’s economy and military to position the nation as a powerful global force. At the time, China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), was large but underfunded and technologically outdated. Deng’s approach to modernizing the military involved a strategic shift: decreasing the size of the PLA while significantly enhancing its technological capabilities. This restructuring reflected Deng’s vision of creating a more efficient, technologically advanced, and modern military rather than a massive but poorly equipped one.
Deng believed that modernization could not occur without economic reform, and he prioritized economic development as a foundation for future military upgrades. He implemented the Four Modernizations policy, which targeted advancements in agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. For the military, this meant improving quality over quantity. By reducing the number of active personnel, Deng could allocate more resources to technological research, weapon development, and modernization of equipment.
Under Deng’s leadership, the PLA embraced advances in weaponry, equipment, and military strategy. For instance, China invested in missile technology, modernized its air force, and improved naval capabilities. Deng aimed to transition the PLA from a manpower-intensive army suited for protracted land warfare to a more versatile and mobile force that could respond to regional and international conflicts with advanced technological tools.
This shift in focus not only laid the groundwork for a stronger, more responsive Chinese military but also aligned with Deng’s broader goal of securing China’s position on the world stage. His military modernization efforts continue to influence China’s defense strategies today, as the country has maintained a policy of technological investment in the military while keeping its size relatively stable, allowing it to pursue sophisticated defense capabilities without an oversized army.