Video: Can China’s Parade Soldiers Withstand a Real War?

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), backed by the world’s second-largest defense budget, has poured billions into acquiring advanced fighter jets, warships, missiles, and drone systems to match top global militaries. Yet, a critical weakness persists—its lack of real combat experience. Since its last major conflict in 1979 against Vietnam, the PLA has not faced the chaos of war, leaving command structures, logistics, and troop readiness untested under real battlefield pressure.

While China showcases modern equipment in grand parades, experts argue that real warfare demands experience that simulations can’t replicate. Unlike the U.S. military—battle-hardened through continuous operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria—the PLA’s officers lack decision-making under fire, and its soldiers remain unfamiliar with the psychological strain of war. This inexperience casts doubt on China’s joint operations, amphibious warfare, and long-range capabilities. Without combat-proven systems and battle-tested leadership, Beijing’s military power may look formidable on paper—but remain unverified in war.