Chinese PLA conducts military diplomacy

China is using personnel exchanges and joint drills as a form of "military diplomacy." 

This shift of roles is part of the ongoing military reforms of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) which has just observed its 90th birthday.

The PLA has taken military diplomacy as a peaceful application of defense resources to help achieve positive outcome in the development of relations with other countries around the world.

The PLA started its military diplomacy with personnel exchanges with other countries and has since moved to maritime convoy missions, and then further to ship visits for joint training and exercises.

It has also participated in international security forums and regional defense conferences.

Liu Lin, Associate Research Fellow with the Chinese Academy of Military Science, says that Chinese military is becoming more confident in military diplomacy.

"Chinese military is becoming more and more confident in military diplomacy. Joint training and exercise has become very important component for the military relationship between China and other countries."

This year alone, China has joined major powers like Russia and the United States for joint drills and exercises. The PLA Navy has just concluded a joint drill with the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea.

In June, China joined the United States in the Shangri-La Dialogue for military talks with many other countries concerning regional and global security issues.

Liu Lin says that China is contributing to international security.

"Chinese military is becoming more and more active in the international stage. But I want to emphasize that Chinese activity is not a show of force. It's not trying to seek hegemony. China just wants to make its own contributions to the international security."

China's military diplomacy has one pragmatic goal to begin with: to forge or enhance relationships with other countries and regions for sustained friendship and cooperation, humanitarian assistance or search and rescue operations or disaster relief missions.

China is a permanent member on the UN Security Council and has the largest number of peacekeeping troops among UN member states.