A comparison with Imperial Germany explains why a capable navy can still rank below the army in national priorities. China's extensive land borders supply the strategic reason offered here. Naval appearance and technical capability therefore say little by themselves about the service's place in resource allocation. Naval knowledge is distinguished from the political priority assigned to the service.
Notable Point · 45:18-45:50
Long land borders and the army's priority in naval spending
The comparison with Imperial Germany links Chinese service priorities to the demands of defending long land borders.