The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will massively increase its presence overseas with more far-sea patrols and the construction of more naval bases in friendly countries to protect China's burgeoning interests while keeping the United States at bay.

The more aggressive role for the PLAN is made necessary by China's economic progress, which has expanded its economic influence to client states overseas. That influence must be protected and expanded, hence the PLAN's transformation from a coastal protection force to a power projection force similar to the role played by the U.S. Navy for over a century.

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China's military strategy for the PLAN has changed and it must increase its presence overseas to meet the new requirements, said military expert Song Zhongping.

China's two aircraft carriers -- CNS Liaoning (CV-16) and CNS Shandong (CV-17), which will join the fleet in 2020 -- is a signature achievement of the PLAN, said Song.

China's new naval strategy is explained in "China's Military Strategy," a white paper released by the Information Office of the State Council in 2015.

The white paper declared PLAN will shift its focus from "near-shore defense" to a combined strategy of "near-shore defense" and "open seas protection," while building a multi-functional and efficient marine combat force structure.

PLAN will also enhance its capabilities for strategic deterrence and counterattack; maritime maneuvers; joint operations at sea; comprehensive defense and comprehensive support.

Near-shore defense means defense in areas close to China's land borders like the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and the Senkaku Islands, and to meet this requirement, PLAN has to gain an overwhelming advantage at least within the First Island Chain, contends Xu Guangyu, senior advisor to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

Open seas protection means defending China's overseas interests, including Chinese personnel, projects, investment and trade routes. In recent years, PLAN has proven it can successfully execute overseas missions like anti-piracy protection in the Gulf of Aden and evacuations from Libya and Yemen.

It's necessary for China to develop a modern maritime military force structure commensurate with its national security and development interests; safeguard its national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests; protect the security of strategic sea lines of communication and overseas interests and participate in international maritime cooperation, so as to provide strategic support for building itself into a maritime power, said the white paper.

TagsPeople's Liberation Army Navy, PLAN, CNS Liaoning, CNS Shandong, China's Military Strategy, open seas protection, near-shore defense