27 April 2012

CMSI’s Development of “Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles” Explained in The Diplomat’s Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Andrew Erickson,” Meet The Diplomat Writers, The Diplomat, 27 April 2012.

The U.S. Naval War College’s Andrew Erickson speaks with The Diplomat about China’s missile advances, the J-20 stealth fighter and what China’s military rise means for the region.

1. Why write this book? Why is it worth reading now?

Chinese Aerospace Power, and the conference that supported it, was a long time in the making. It’s the first book devoted to linking China’s growing military aerospace capabilities with their maritime implications – an important gap that we were determined to fill to offer insights for U.S. Navy leaders and all other interested parties. We knew that the topic was important, but wanted to take the time to get it right. As the fifth volume in the Naval Institute Press’s “Studies in Chinese Maritime Development” Series, Chinese Aerospace Power is part of larger, ongoing scholarly analysis that the Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute is working to offer on Beijing’s recent turn to the sea.

In keeping with CMSI’s philosophy, contributors employ differing methodologies and arrive at diverse conclusions to further constructive academic debate. The common denominator is close, disciplined scrutiny of Chinese developments and sources. Designed to stand independently, the chapters may be read selectively, or sequentially, as the reader prefers. We want Chinese Aerospace Power to be a useful resource for scholars, researchers, and concerned citizens both inside and outside the U.S. government and around the world. In the words of Bradley Perrett, Aviation Week’s Asia-Pacific bureau chief in Beijing, “Many readers will be surprised by the extent of Chinese progress described by the contributors to this work.” …

For complete details on the book discussed here, see Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, eds., Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2011).

http://www.andrewerickson.com/2011/06/chinese-aerospace-power-evolving-maritime-roles-cmsi-vol-5/