A Question Of Motivation For China's PLA

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For example, soldiers in America risk their lives for America and its democratic values. In China, why? For communism? Not really.

For China? Not quite. China is represented by the party, but who is the party? Xi Jinping is the top leader. So, should Chinese soldiers die for Xi? Many may prefer money to Xi. Mao addressed this issue with the personality cult.

The Red Army fought for communism against the Nationalists and for the nation against the Japanese.

The army, as in all successful uprisings in Chinese history, was the key element to taking power. The party was the offspring of the army, not the other way around, like with the Soviet Revolution.

After the establishment of the PRC, communism turned out to be just the name of another Chinese dynasty, and Mao devised a personality cult to buttress his power.

The army would fight for the emperor just like they did for thousands of years or as the Japanese military did in World War II. Since the PLA was at his service, Mao used it for political infighting during the Cultural Revolution.

Subsequently, Deng needed to get the army out of factional politics, which involved giving them money. The plan took different shapes and forms over the following decades but stuck.

It had one constant-winning the army's trust and support in return for economic advantages.

However, an army motivated by money is not ready to fight for the country or its leader. Now, Xi needs a fighting and loyal PLA because threats have become real, and as the war in Ukraine proves, battles are still a bloodbath, not a video game.

If money is removed from the PLA's equation, it's unclear what the army would be loyal to. Is it to Xi? Then, could a personality cult work now like it did 70 years ago? The Chinese have changed a lot since then.

Without an ideal, every general is for himself and may turn against the leader if the opportunity arises. The PLA is back in factional politics.

Perhaps He or Admiral Miao Hua, a Xi loyalist arrested last November, had a political agenda. In the present system , Xi's advisors may have a vested interest in suggesting anti-US policies, which, if they fail, can help topple Xi and get them to the top position. It happened with Lin Biao in 1971 against Mao.

It doesn't mean that China lacks soldiers willing to die. Hundreds of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine demonstrate there is a possible pool.

The Russian experience shows there are ways to woo and coerce the poorest into the army ranks and files as cannon fodder. China has millions of potential volunteers from the countryside or provincial towns.

Still, the hanging question remains – how to motivate officers and generals?