The CCP would not have survived if not for the PLA.

Assess this view in the light of

the role of the PLA since 1978.
The PLA has helped the CCP overthrew the KMT during 1946-1949 Civil War. This
shows the importance of the PLA in relation to the CCPs rise to power in China.
Knowing that the military can both be a boon or a bane to any political party, the
CCP politicized the military o further extend their control over the PLA. With this,
there are several members of the PLA who holds party membership in the CCP
concurrently. Military personnel are also made to swear their allegiance to the party,
and to adhere strictly to party policies. Furthermore, the top position of the CMC has
always been held by Chinese presidents as well, exemplifying the fact that the CCP
has total control over the military. As such, to the Chinese, both entities are actually
one in the same body. PLA is the military arm of the CCP. The Historic Missions of
the PLA as crafted during the leadership of Hu Jintao exemplified the basic and the
expanded role of PLA in 21st century. Thus, the PLAs actions will have implications
on the CCP and vice-versa.
In order for the CCP to maintain legitimacy via domestic order, it is essential for it to
hold the military might albeit the PLA. The military holds the hard power of the
country which can essentially protect any poltical party from domestic threats. The
PLA is thus essential in representing the military muscle of the CCP, giving the latter
a sense of protection in times of domestic upheavals. This was especially true
during the Tiananmen Incident when the PLA literally crushed the student
demonstrators. The event almost overthrew the CCP from power, if not for the PLA.
Other territorial and sovereignty issues will also need the plA as a strong deterrence
to prevent any worsening of events. This is especially true when the PLA conducted
a large-scale military exercise off the Straits of Taiwan, as a display of unhappiness
against Lee Teng Huis visit to the USA in 1996. Thus, the PLA is there to act as
deterrence against any potential domestic threats, which the CCP could always rely
on in times of trouble. In times of unrests, the CCP could even wield the military to
suppress them to prevent further weakening of legitimacy. However, since the 3 rd
and 4th generation leaders do not have military background, a give and take kind
of relationships has appeared between the military and the party. Unlike Mao and
Deng, who had fought alongside the Red Guards, thus gaining the absolute trust
and allegiance from the military, Jiang and Hu are civilian background, which makes
loyalty to the party a challenge for the military. Though Hu is holding on the
chairmanship of the CMC, he has to negotiate with the PLA leadership, and not
dictate the military as in Mao and Dengs case.
The CCP could utilize the PLA to project a positive image of China as a responsible
and great nation, thus strengthening its legitimacy with its people. The fact that the
CCP can still hold political power in China now is that it has actually raised Chinas
global status as a great power. This could not have been achieved if not for its
projection of hard-power. This could not have been achieved if not for its projection
of hard-power vis--vis the PLA. The PLAs constant upgrading of military strength is
actually showing the Chinese the prowess of the military. This is done through the
PLANs peacekeeping mission to the Horn of Africa in December 2008 and also the
2007 Peace Exercise with the Central Asian states and Russia. This active act from
the military actually raises Chinas image as a responsible and great nation, giving
the Chinese a sense of national pride. With this national pride, the Chinese has

given the CCP the credit for improving the military standards. However, several
countries from the West, especially the USA have criticized this military buildup as
the China Threat. In fact, the West is seeing the communist regime tends to be
more militant and aggressive. Though the PLA has been to the Horn of Africa, it has
also developed weapons that are deemed dangerous by the West. The development
of the Dongfeng 21 missile which is able to shoot a satellite in space, displays the
rapid advancement of Chinas military technology. This could also mean that China
is now able to threaten the West with its high precision weapons. During the large
scale military exercise off the Taiwan Straits, the USA deemed this act as a form of
aggression, legitimizing the China Threat theory. Therefore, to the West, the
Chinese militarys buildup is in fact seen as a threat, affecting the global status of
China. The PLAs interactions with the commoners have also helped to strengthen
the CCPs legitimacy through their act of benevolence. Unlike the PLA of the past
during the Civil War and Tiananmen Square Incident, the PLA has now displated a
softer side of them, especially during the disaster relief. Until the 2008 Earthquake,
such moves by the PLA were unprecedented. The military was activated to help in
rescuing survivors and more importantly repair the potential damage done on the
Three Gorges Dam after the earthquake. Such benevolent acts by the PLA were
displayed several times through the Chinese media, and the military was greatly
appreciated for their efforts. This is in fact reflects the notion of benevolent
leadership, as shown in Confucian teachings. Besides Hu and Wens frequent display
of care and concern towards the people, the PLA can also be wielded to complement
the idea of benevolent leadership. This can also repair the damage done during the
Tiananmen Square Incident, by also taking up responsibility for disaster relief. In
addition, the CCP can also mobilize the huge pool of manpower from the PLA in
times of needs and could thus hasten recovery and damage repair.
Given the CCPs pragmatic leadership, it was able to sustain its legitimacy through
creating the economic miracle for China. Since the economic reforms in 1978, China
is seen as an economic miracle by the rest of the world, and the credit goes to the
CCP for its pragmatism and far-sight. Prior to the reforms, China was facing extreme
poverty as a result from the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. This
could have seriously jeopardized the Communists rule in China. Therefore, Deng
had to reverse the situation by introducing several economic reforms to provide
wealth for the people. This was done through a very pragmatic and gradual
approach for the past 30years, and the CCP was credited for the current economic
miracle displayed by China. This is especially true as China is still facing positive
economic growth despite the current economic crisis. However, this economic
miracle is only subjected to certain sectors of the society i.e. the urban areas. It is
no doubt China is facing an unprecedented economic growth, but there also
problems that come with it over years. Problems such as environmental
degradation, rural-migration and regional disparity have also begun to threaten the
existence of the CCP. In China, there are now groups in society faulting the CCP for
creating social problems that arise from economic development. NGOs are
questioning the problems of environmental degradation and regional disparity.
Commoners are also starting small riots against the authorities for corruption, as
seen in the 2007 Guangxi riots, and many rural workers in urban centers have
always been discriminated against. These issues will seriously threaten the very
existence of the CCP, and it is now implementing several policies, such as the Go
West Policy, to rectify the situation.

Education is another way of strengthening legitimacy for the CCP. Unlike China
30years ago, the current generation of Chinese has been exposed to Western ideas
such as democracy, and would then dare to challenge the CCP over issues and
policies. The CCP knows that is would be more effective in the long-run if it could
change the psyche of the people, rather than suppressing the people, rather than
suppressing the people through military. With this in mind, the CCP has recently
revived Confucianism, hoping that social order can be maintained in through
peaceful ways. As Confucianism stresses the idea of hierarchy, each person should
know their place in society, and try not to cross their boundaries. This is especially
useful for the CCP, as this means that the subject should be subordinated to the
ruler, ie the CCP. Furthermore, the idea of a Harmonious society is in a way telling
people not to create social unrests. A country can only be in order when everyone
knows their status. In order to achieve this, Confucian ideas are now added into the
education syllabus in China. Thus, such a move actually reflects the CCPs
leadership inflexibility in venturing into other avenues for sustaining legitimacy.
In conclusion, in it important to note that CCP has to depend on the PLA for military
might for survival and also other soft methods, such as promoting economic
growth and leadership qualities for ensuring legitimacy in China. In short, the CCP
has been using the carrot and stick approach to sustain legitimacy in the long run.
The PLA is effective in deterring potential domestic unrests in China and is also a
good tool in stomping out social chaos as seen in the 1989 Tiananmen Square
Incident. This is especially useful if there are immediate problems which could
jeopardize the CCPs legitimacy in the short run. However, the CCPs leadership is
also paramount in ensuring its own survival through its pragmatism, flexibility and
far-sightedness. Thus the current economic miracle displayed by China is a way in
which the Chinese has placed their faith in the leadership. Hence, this carrot and
stick approach can complement each other in ensuring the CCPs survival though
the socio-politico-economical spheres.