Every year, China’s “Two Sessions”-the annual gatherings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference-offer a carefully curated glimpse into the country’s political and strategic direction. In 2026, the message emerging from Beijing was particularly clear and deliberate: China is accelerating its transition toward an AI-powered military, placing technological supremacy and national security at the core of its long-term planning.

This shift comes at a time when China faces a more complex domestic and international environment. Although its economy continues to grow, the pace has slowed compared to the rapid expansion of previous decades. Yet rather than retreating or adopting a cautious posture, the Chinese leadership is doubling down on a strategic doctrine that tightly integrates economic development with national security.

At the center of this transformation is Xi Jinping, who has consistently emphasized that a strong military is essential to safeguarding China’s rise. During the 2026 Two Sessions, Xi reinforced the importance of modernizing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), making it a cornerstone of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). This plan is expected to guide not only economic development but also China’s broader strategic posture in an increasingly contested global landscape.

China’s military modernization is entering a new phase, described by Chinese strategists as “intelligentization.” This concept represents the next step in the evolution of warfare, following earlier phases of mechanization and informatization. While mechanization focused on hardware and informatization emphasized digital connectivity, intelligentization aims to integrate artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced data analytics directly into military operations.

The implications of this shift are profound. AI-enabled systems can process vast amounts of data in real time, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making on the battlefield. Commanders equipped with such tools gain enhanced situational awareness, allowing them to respond to threats with greater speed and precision. The ultimate objective is what Chinese analysts call “decision-making dominance”-the ability to outthink and outmaneuver adversaries by leveraging superior information processing capabilities.

This vision also reflects a broader rethinking of warfare itself. Future conflicts are no longer expected to be confined to traditional battlefields. Instead, they are likely........

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