Steel Wrapped in Silk: China's Military Diplomacy in the New Era

China’s military diplomacy has undergone a significant transformation in the postColdWar period, gaining prominenceundertheleadershipofXiJinping. ThePeople’s Liberation Army (PLA) has emerged not only as a guardian of national security but also as a central instrument of China’s international engagement. From maintaining a reclusive posture to having an expanded outreach in the 21st century, the PLA’s military diplomacy today involves strengthening relations, projecting influence, and shaping narratives, among others. Drawing on typologies, engagement practices, and recent global trends, the Chapter examines China’s military diplomacy in Xi’s ‘new era’. By analyzing meetings and exchanges, joint military exercises and transnational security operations, the Chapter synthesizes how China integrates hard power with soft power channels to enhance its global influence, while facing challenges in an increasingly competitive international environment.