December 19, 2000

China has a national paramilitary police force (the People's Armed Police, or PAP) that has doubled in size, to 1.3 million men, since 1989. Although much money has been spent on new equipment to avoid the bloody 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square. But apparently the PAP have not changed their methods, as unrest continues to be put down with great violence. The problem is largely one of leadership, the PAP not being able to attract the best men for leadership positions. Most of the PAP are young men from the rural areas. The loyalty of the PAP is also suspect, as many of the local PAP detachments fall under the influence of corrupt local politicians.