From Mao to Now: Why China’s Communist Party Is Intent on Control Over the Military China's recent anti corruption crackdown on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has reignited debate over the delicate balance between the country's powerful military and the ruling Communist Party.
At its core, this issue is not new but rather a manifestation of the party's enduring commitment to controlling every aspect of China's governance, including the armed forces.
The PLA's transformation into an instrument of state control began long before Mao Zedong's 1938 statement on the primacy of party command over military might.