I am pleased that, for the second year in a row, the U.S. Army War College and The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) teamed up to convene the annual PLA colloquium. Over the years, this event has successfully increased understanding of ChinaÕs military and the multiple aspects of its ongoing modernization effort. Last year was no exception. On September 28, 2007, under the joint leadership of the U.S. Army War CollegeÕs Strategic Studies Institute and NBRÕs Pyle Center for Northeast Asian Studies, approximately 70 leading experts on the PeopleÕs Liberation Army (PLA) convened at Carlisle Barracks, PA, for a 2-day discussion on the Chinese militaryÕs human infrastructure. Presentations and discussions at the conference focused on identifying trends in recruitment, education, training, personnel management, and demographics within the PLA.