Photo: World Affairs Board
Zi Yang, The Diplomat: Are China’s Soldiers Psychologically Fit for Modern Wars?
An investigation of the state of mental health, and mental health services, in the People’s Liberation Army.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has captured headlines in recent years for its renewed confidence and assertiveness. The image of Chinese soldiers, carefully crafted by propagandists, paints them as men of steel – fearless and unstoppable. But what is really behind the façade?
Despite their fierce public persona, soldiers are human beings like the rest of us, made out of flesh and blood and vivified by emotions. While it is important to understand the PLA’s hardware buildup, this article seeks to understand the psychological health of servicemen, crucial to morale and combat effectiveness, yet often veiled by the hard exterior of propaganda. How widespread are mental disorders in the PLA? Does the PLA have a modern and well-constructed mental health service infrastructure? If not, are there improvements in the making? Ultimately, what are the implications for a PLA in the midst of reform?
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WNU editor: If war breaks out and these Chinese soldiers are not psychologically fit .... I will then expect a very high learning curve for everyone involved.
