中國大陸國防工業及其軍事力量的意涵

Military Implications of Defense Industry Reform in China

影響軍事實力強大與否的因素甚多，其中之一是國防工業的先進與否。如果國防工業能充分發揮創新與創意能力，研製出先進的武器裝備，則其國家的軍事實力可能居於有利位置。當全球軍事競爭進入軍事事務革命時代之際，國防工業實力更具關鍵地位。整體而言，中國大陸國防工業由於長期實施社會主義計畫經濟體制、中國傳統工業基礎不足、不合理的武器獲得過程，以致整體創新能力仍不足，無法全面研製出先進武器裝備。雖然一九七八年以後也對國防工業做出改革，但其效果需要長時期才能看得出來。這表示，中共軍力仍無法對美國構成真正的威脅。然而，中國大陸整體實力的成長仍將對美國的亞洲安全政策構成相當挑戰。

Military capability is influenced by many factors, one of which is the capability of the defense industry. A defense industry with sufficient and constant innovation capability can develop and manufacture advanced weapon systems, thus boosting up the country's military capability. This is particularly the case in the age of the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA).Because of practicing a socialist economic system since the establishment of the communist regime in 1949, the historical lack of an industrial base, and an irrational arms acquisition process, China's defense industry has lacked innovation and been unable to manufacture advanced weapon systems across the board. Despite the fact that China has undertaken the defense industry reforms since 1978, it will take a long time for positive effects to be realized. This implies that the Chinese military will not constitute a real military threat to the US in the near future. Nevertheless, as China keeps growing, the US will face increasing challenges to its regional position.