China’s military power has taken a “quantum leap” forward, and its military technology is approaching the same standard as the Western world’s, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said in an interview Monday. Further modernizations are planned, he said, and a blueprint has been prepared to set “a solid foundation by 2010” to further upgrade the armed forces.

“Our capabilities in waging defensive combat under modern conditions have taken a quantum leap,” said Liang. “It could be said that China has basically all the kinds of equipment possessed by Western countries, much of which reaches or approaches advanced world standards. This is a very remarkable achievement which not only reflects the level of modernization of our army, but also tremendous changes in national science and technology strength.”

On October 1, a huge military parade in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, will mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese military is expected to unveil many new pieces of military equipment, all conforming to the parade’s theme, “Made in China.”

“We now have military satellites, advanced jets, new main battle tanks, sophisticated warships and subs,” said Liang, stating that some of the weaponry conforms to world-leading standards.

China has a blueprint to expand its army, navy and air force in the future. Chinese state-owned news agency Xinhau wrote, “According to the blueprint, the army will give priority to nationwide mobility instead of regional defense, the navy will be armed with strong coastal defense capabilities, as well as means of warfare farther out to sea, the air force will be updated from mere territorial air defense to the combination of offense and defense, and the missile force will become an effective strategic force capable of both conventional and nuclear launches.”

All these modernizations will help China project its power beyond its borders.

Watch for China’s global clout to increase with its military power. As China grows stronger, Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea will continue to pull away from their American allies and align themselves with their increasingly powerful neighbor. For more information on China’s rapid military growth, see our booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.