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 to unfold across multiple domains simultaneously, including cyberspace, outer space, and the cognitive realm. Chinese military thinkers increasingly describe these conflicts as “meta-wars,” where conventional combat is intertwined with cyber operations, information warfare, and psychological influence campaigns.

To prepare for this new era, China is investing heavily in a range of advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence sits at the center of this effort, but it is complemented by developments in quantum computing, hypersonic weapons, and sophisticated surveillance systems. Together, these capabilities are designed to give China a strategic edge in an environment defined by rapid technological change.

A key mechanism for achieving this transformation is the policy of military-civil fusion. This approach seeks to eliminate barriers between civilian and military innovation by integrating universities, private companies, and state-owned enterprises into the defense ecosystem. By leveraging the strengths of its commercial technology sector, China aims to accelerate the pace of innovation while strengthening its industrial base.

Military-civil fusion also reflects a broader strategic philosophy: that national power in the 21st century depends on the seamless integration of economic, technological, and military capabilities. In this model, advancements in fields like AI and semiconductor manufacturing are not merely economic assets-they are critical components of national security.

While technological innovation is a central pillar of China’s strategy, the leadership has also placed significant emphasis on discipline and oversight within the military. During the Two Sessions, Xi Jinping called for stricter supervision of military projects and tighter control over financial flows. His message was unambiguous: modernization must be accompanied by accountability.

This focus on discipline comes amid a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the PLA. Since the Communist Party’s 20th Congress in 2022, dozens of senior officers have been removed from their positions, and many more have been investigated. Official figures indicate that at least 36 high-ranking officers have lost their status as delegates to the National People’s Congress, while some estimates suggest that over 100 officers have been affected by the campaign.

Although corruption is the stated reason for these actions, the campaign serves broader strategic purposes. Corruption can undermine operational effectiveness, distort resource allocation, and slow the pace of modernization. At the same time, ensuring political loyalty within the military is essential in a system where the armed forces are explicitly subordinate to the ruling party.

In this context, the reforms are not merely punitive-they are structural. They aim to create a military leadership that is both professionally competent and ideologically aligned with the central leadership. This combination is seen as critical for managing the challenges of rapid technological transformation and heightened geopolitical competition.

China’s defense budget continues to grow steadily, reflecting its long-term commitment to military modernization. In 2026, Beijing announced military spending of approximately 1.9 trillion yuan (around $278 billion), representing an increase of about 7 percent. This marks the fourth consecutive year of similar growth rates.

Despite this expansion, China’s defense spending remains significantly lower than that of the United States, whose military budget exceeds $1 trillion. Relative to the size of its economy, China allocates a smaller proportion of GDP to defense than many major powers. This suggests a strategy focused on efficiency and technological advancement rather than sheer scale.

Indeed, China’s approach emphasizes quality over quantity. Investments are directed toward high-impact capabilities such as advanced missile systems, next-generation naval platforms, and AI-enabled command networks. The goal is not to replicate the global military footprint of the United States but to establish credible deterrence and maintain stability in China’s immediate region.

China’s strategic recalibration is occurring against the backdrop of a shifting international system. Chinese policymakers increasingly view the world as moving away from a unipolar order dominated by a single superpower toward a more complex multipolar structure. In this emerging landscape, competition is not only military but also economic and technological.

This perspective has been articulated by senior officials such as Chen Yixin, who has highlighted the growing importance of securing critical technologies, supply chains, and strategic resources. According to this view, national security in the modern era extends far beyond traditional military concerns. It encompasses economic resilience, technological independence, and social stability.

China’s response has been to adopt a comprehensive approach to security-one that integrates multiple dimensions of national power. This approach is sometimes described as building an “impenetrable Great Wall of national security,” emphasizing the need for coordination across all sectors of society.

Within this broader framework, certain strategic priorities stand out. Taiwan remains a central issue, with Chinese leaders consistently emphasizing the importance of national reunification. While Beijing continues to advocate for peaceful solutions, it is also preparing for a range of contingencies, underscoring the importance of military readiness.

At the same time, China is increasingly focused on protecting its overseas interests. As the world’s largest trading nation, it relies heavily on secure maritime routes and stable international markets. Ensuring the safety of these assets has become a key component of its national security strategy.

The emphasis on AI and advanced technologies also has significant implications for global security. As major powers compete to develop next-generation military capabilities, the risk of technological arms races and strategic instability may increase. At the same time, these developments could reshape the nature of conflict, making it faster, more complex, and potentially more difficult to control.

The signals emerging from China’s 2026 Two Sessions point to a leadership that is deeply focused on long-term strategic preparation. By integrating artificial intelligence into its military, strengthening internal discipline, and aligning economic policy with security objectives, China is positioning itself for a future defined by intense technological and geopolitical competition.

This strategy reflects a fundamental shift in thinking. Security and development are no longer seen as separate goals but as mutually reinforcing components of national power. In this framework, economic growth supports military modernization, while technological innovation enhances both economic and security outcomes.

China’s pursuit of an AI-powered military is therefore not an isolated initiative-it is part of a broader effort to redefine how power is generated and sustained in the 21st century. As this transformation unfolds, it will have far-reaching consequences, not only for China but for the global balance of power.

In an increasingly uncertain world, Beijing’s approach can be summarized as one of calibrated strength: advancing cutting-edge technologies, maintaining steady defense spending, and ensuring tight political control. Whether this strategy will succeed in securing China’s long-term objectives remains to be seen, but its direction is unmistakable.

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