China’s first major revision of its national defence mobilisation law in 16 years signals a significant shift in how Beijing intends to prepare for modern conflict. The revised framework expands the concept of military preparedness beyond conventional weapons and government stockpiles, bringing
artificial intelligence, drones, data, software, civilian technology companies, specialised talent and private logistics networks into the country’s potential wartime mobilisation system.
China has spent years building a closer relationship between its civilian technology sector and the military. The latest revision to its defence mobilisation law provides a legal framework that could make that relationship considerably more systematic.
The amendment, passed by China’s top legislature and scheduled to take effect on October 1, places new emphasis on advanced technologies and emerging fields.
