China’s military has undergone an extraordinary transformation, shaped by centuries of history, political upheaval, changing strategic priorities, and advances in military technology.
Near Peer: China | Understanding the Chinese Military is a documentary created by 29 Pixel Studios as part of our work supporting Army University Press. The film examines the history, organization, military doctrine, and modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), offering viewers an introduction to one of the world’s most consequential military forces.
Through interviews with military subject matter experts, the documentary explores how China’s past has influenced its military development and how the PLA has evolved into a modern fighting force.
Understanding the People’s Liberation Army
The People’s Liberation Army has a history closely connected to the political development of modern China.
The documentary examines that relationship, including the rise of Mao Zedong, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and the evolution of China’s military institutions.
Understanding this history provides important context for examining the PLA’s organization, doctrine, and strategic priorities.
Rather than looking exclusively at military equipment or troop numbers, Near Peer: China considers the historical and political influences that have helped shape China’s approach to military power.
Chinese Military Doctrine and Strategy
Military doctrine provides a framework for how armed forces prepare for and conduct operations.
The film explores Chinese military doctrine and the strategic considerations influencing the PLA’s development.
Subject matter experts discuss how Chinese military thinking has evolved and how China’s military approaches its role in national defense and broader strategic competition.
For viewers interested in military history and strategy, these discussions offer a foundation for understanding the PLA beyond headlines and individual weapons systems.
China’s Military Modernization
One of the documentary’s central subjects is the modernization of the Chinese military.
The PLA’s development has involved changes in technology, military capabilities, organization, and operational thinking.
Near Peer: China examines these developments and the implications of China’s growing military capabilities.
The documentary also considers how the U.S. Army studies potential competitors, including their military organizations, equipment, and doctrine.
Historical context: Originally released in 2022, the film reflects the information and assessments available during its production period. It is a documentary record of that analysis rather than a comprehensive assessment of China’s military capabilities in 2026.
The First Film in a Broader Collection
Near Peer: China was originally introduced as the first installment in a four-part Army University Press documentary series examining America’s global competitors.
That collection eventually expanded beyond the original Near Peer concept to include regional military powers and contemporary military operations.
We’re now bringing six of these documentaries together on the 29 Pixel Studios YouTube channel under a broader collection exploring global military powers, military strategy, doctrine, and modern conflict.
The next film, China’s Force Projection Capabilities | Large and Small Island Operations, takes a more focused look at the PLA’s ability to conduct military operations beyond the Chinese mainland.
It explores force projection, amphibious landing operations, and Chinese military doctrine related to the seizure of small and large islands.
Together, these two films offer an introduction to the Chinese military followed by a closer examination of specific operational capabilities.
Creating Near Peer: China
29 Pixel Studios helped create Near Peer: China as part of our work supporting the U.S. Army’s Army University Press.
Our relationship with Army University Press began in 2018. Since then, our team has helped create more than 50 films covering military history, leadership, doctrine, and the experiences of soldiers.
These productions reflect the kind of work we enjoy: taking complex subjects and using documentary storytelling, interviews, historical research, motion graphics, animation, and visual communication to make them accessible to a broader audience.
We’re proud to make Near Peer: China available again through the 29 Pixel Studios YouTube channel.
Watch Near Peer: China | Understanding the Chinese Military
Watch the complete documentary on YouTube
You can also view the original Army University Press release on DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/856449/near-peer-china-understanding-chinese-military
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