I think that wages are catching up to the PLA.
“I think that wages are catching up to the PLA.”
That, plus much of their army is basically made up of poorly trained peasants. Ok for massive frontal attacks against an opponent configured the same. But, who is going to invade China? Answer; nobody.
Transition from a home defense force (large land army) to a force projection force. Larger Navy with probably many more Marines.
Means they plan on “getting out there”.