From "Informatization" to "Intellectualization": The Transformation of China's Military Concepts in the Xi Jinping Era

The focus of this article is the transformation of military concepts of the People's Republic of China during Xi Jinping's leadership. The author examines the transition from "informatization" to "intellectualization" of warfare as a reflection of a broader trend in the evolution of military strategy and doctrine of the PLA in the context of a global revolution in military affairs. The subject of the study is not only the change in the technical foundation of the armed forces but also a rethinking of the principles of active defense, the nature of modern conflicts, and the role of information and artificial intelligence in the military sphere. Special attention is paid to analyzing the organizational reforms of the PLA, the creation of new military branches, and the development of integrated joint operation concepts. The article discusses how Chinese military thought adapts to the challenges of the 21st century and seeks to establish strategic advantages in a rapidly changing international environment. The methodological foundation of the work relies on systemic and comparative-historical approaches, as well as the analysis of official Chinese documents, "White Papers," works of the Academy of Military Sciences, and contemporary studies in the field of security. The novelty of the research lies in a comprehensive examination of the transition from "informatization" to "intellectualization" as a key phase in the modernization of the Chinese military doctrine. The article demonstrates that in the era of Xi Jinping, intellectualization is viewed not as a separate technological innovation but as a systemic process integrating humans, weapons, and methods of warfare into a unified "system of systems." An important conclusion is that China aims to utilize artificial intelligence and related technologies not only to enhance the effectiveness of its armed forces but also to establish a new level of strategic deterrence. It is concluded that the development of the PLA towards intellectualization reflects the PRC's goal of transforming its armed forces into a "world-class army," capable of operating effectively by the mid-21st century amid a new revolution in military affairs and countering any potential adversaries.