The PLA's Long Pursuit: A Century in the Making The People's Liberation Army's 99th anniversary on August 1 marks a milestone in China's military evolution and its transformation into a global force.
This achievement comes at a time when the international community is increasingly scrutinizing Beijing's intentions behind its military buildup.
China's desire to shed its image as a ragtag revolutionary group began after World War II, when the Communist Party of China embarked on a long term strategy to build a self reliant defense industry.