ABSTRACT
The Chinese leadership and the dominant members of the Chinese military elite see the "modernization of national defense" in very broad terms. Defense modernization, therefore, is not viewed solely as a response to a particular military threat to China's security, but is seen as part of a much broader pattern of national development. The relegation of defense modernization to fourth priority, however, has not impoverished the defense establishment, for China's estimated defense budget is exceeded only by those of the USSR and the United States. The defense establishment has taken a careful look at the problems it faces and has begun to implement a set of reforms designed to improve the professional qualities of both the current and future officer corps. The defense establishment has taken a careful look at the problems it faces and has begun to implement a set of reforms designed to improve the professional qualities of both the current and future officer corps.
