China's Leaner Army May Pose a Bigger Challenge to U.S.
- Troop cuts seen as `anything but' a gesture of peace
- Force reduction part of biggest defense overhaul in 3 decades
China Flexes Military Muscle in Victory Day Parade
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Far from weakening the Chinese military, the troop cuts announced by President Xi Jinping will help counter U.S. advantages and improve the country’s ability to project force further from its shores.
The president announced the reduction of 300,000 troops along with his vow never to seek “hegemony or expansion” during Thursday’s military parade in Beijing to mark the end of World War II, a message he punctuated with a fist pump. While the move represents the largest cut to the People’s Liberation Army in almost two decades, it may only accelerate the arms build up in the Asia-Pacific region.