Main Findings:
- In the Xi Jinping era, the Chinese military has intensified efforts to improve the training and education of military officers to remedy perceived leadership deficiencies. Shortly after taking office, Xi called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to grasp the “central task” (中心任务) of training high-quality military talents.
- To this end, the PLA has introduced a “three-in-one” model for talent development, comprising academic education, unit training, and vocational learning; reorganized and consolidated its academic institutions; and updated statutes and regulations to guide PLA academies in their work.
- The PLAN currently manages eight academic institutions, all subordinate to the PLAN Headquarters: the Naval Command College, Naval University of Engineering, Dalian Naval Academy, Navy Submarine Academy, Naval Aviation University, Naval Medical University, Naval Logistics Academy, and Naval Petty Officer Academy.
- Among the five PLAN academic institutions offering undergraduate education to recent high school graduates—i.e., the Naval University of Engineering, Dalian Naval Academy, Navy Submarine Academy, Naval Aviation University, and Naval Medical University—all except the Naval Aviation University have seen recruitment numbers rise since 2017.
- To implement guidance issued by the Central Military Commission, PLAN academic institutions have 1) offered new coursework leveraging cutting edge technologies, 2) strengthened cooperation with civilian universities, 3) strived to better satisfy the needs of the fleet, 4) prioritized “combat realism” in their educational offerings, 5) fostered more interactions with active-duty units, 6) bolstered educational exchanges with foreign navies and studied international best practices, 7) improved teaching pedagogy, and 8) expanded vocational education programs.
- It is unclear to what extent these initiatives have translated into a better educated and more competent officer corps. The PLAN’s operational record is scant, so it is difficult to judge educational effectiveness. However, Chinese sources continue to emphasize enduring weaknesses in education and training, suggesting that progress is uneven at best.
CMSI China Maritime Reports