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Andrew S. Erickson China's rapid development is reshaping the world in all dimensions. Chinese language open sources offer insights into these critical trends. While such materials are increasing constantly in number, diversity, and sophistication, only a fraction is available in English. The analyses available here, many based on sources not previously considered outside China, are designed to help bridge that gap--and thereby increase understanding of the most dynamic great power in the international system today.

21 September 2010

“China” and “Japan” Entries in Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia

Joan Johnson-Freese and Andrew S. Erickson; “China,” 1004-08, and “Japan,” 1021-25; in Stephen B. Johnson, ed., Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia (Washington, DC: NASA/ABC-CLIO, 2010).
A complete history of human endeavors in space, this book also moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic […]

21 September 2010

Red Star Over The Pacific: China’s Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy

Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes, Red Star Over The Pacific: China’s Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2010).
Combining a close knowledge of Asia and an ability to tap Chinese-language sources with naval combat experience and expertise in sea-power theory, the authors assess how the rise of Chinese […]

18 September 2010

China Signpost 洞察中国™ #3–Salt of the Earth: BHP Billiton’s Bid for Potash Corp Likely to Drive Chinese Potash Investment in Belarus, Russia, and Africa

Gabriel B. Collins, “Salt of the Earth: BHP Billiton’s Bid for Potash Corp Likely to Drive Chinese Potash Investment in Belarus, Russia, and Africa,” China Signpost (洞察中国)™ 3 (18 September 2010).
China Signpost 洞察中国™–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
A successful deal would give BHP control over more than 20% of global potash production. This share would rise as […]

17 September 2010

Taipei Times Article on Chinese ASBM Development

Wang Jyh-Perng (王志鵬), “U.S. Grows Wary of the East Wind,” Taipei Times, 17 September 2010, p. 8.
Warnings that China has already had some success in developing anti-aircraft carrier capabilities have come thick and fast over the last few years in the form of official reports and output from US think tanks. A report in August […]

14 September 2010

Harmonious Ocean? Chinese Aircraft Carriers and the Australian-U.S. Alliance

John Frewen, “Harmonious Ocean? Chinese Aircraft Carriers and the Australian-U.S. Alliance,” Joint Force Quarterly 59, 4th Quarter (October 2010), pp. 68-74.
Brigadier General John Frewen, Australian Army, wrote this essay while a student at the U.S. Army War College. It won the 2010 Secretary of Defense National Security Essay Competition.
In March 2009, China’s Defense Minister, Liang […]

14 September 2010

Sustaining America’s Strategic Advantage in Long-Range Strike

Mark A. Gunzinger, Sustaining America’s Strategic Advantage in Long-Range Strike (Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, 14 September 2010).
The ability to conduct long-range strike operations has long provided the United States with a decisive military advantage over its enemies. Today, that advantage is dissipating. Despite the crucial role long-range strike capabilities have played in our […]

11 September 2010

Ryukyu Chain in China’s Island Strategy

James Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara, “Ryukyu Chain in China’s Island Strategy,” Jamestown China Brief, Vol. 10, No. 18 (10 September 2010).
In late August the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) intend to stage their first-ever island defense exercises in December. The maneuvers will be held in concert with U.S. Navy […]

10 September 2010

China’s Evolving Anti-Access Approach: “Where’s the Nearest (U.S.) Carrier?”

Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Evolving Anti-Access Approach: ‘Where’s the Nearest (U.S.) Carrier?’” Jamestown Foundation China Brief 10.18 (10 September 2010): 5-8.
Article covered in the KMT Central Policy Planning Committee’s bi-weekly report on mainland China.
China’s military planners covet the ability to prevent U.S. and allied forces from intervening effectively in the event of a future Taiwan Strait […]

08 September 2010

Galrahn, Information Dissemination, on Global Times ASBM Article

Galrahn, “Clarity vs Ambiguity,” Information Dissemination, 8 September 2010.
I am sure everyone caught the editorial in the Global Times yesterday. If not, you can read it here. Andrew Erickson offers background on the source.
Global Times (环球时报, Huanqiu Shibao) is a Chinese newspaper published on weekdays that focuses on international issues and foreign reaction to developments […]

07 September 2010

Greg Grant, Defense Tech: “Chinese Media Calls for Carrier Killing Missile, Other Weapons”

Greg Grant, “Chinese Media Calls for Carrier Killing Missile, Other Weapons,” Defense Tech, 7 September 2010.
China not only must develop an anti-ship ballistic missile but it should develop a range of carrier killing weapons to protect the country’s strategic interests, says an editorial in China’s Global Times. The Naval War College’s Andrew Erickson writes that […]

06 September 2010

Global Times: “China Needs Powerful” ASBM, Other “Carrier-Destroying Measures”

“China Needs Powerful,” Global Times (English edition), 6 September 2010.
 China’s anti-ship ballistic missile (ASB[M]), known as the “carrier killer,” is close to operational, said the commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Willard, in Tokyo recently. While US aircraft carriers appear more active in China’s offshore waters, concern over China’s ASB[M] is rising […]

01 September 2010

China Signpost 洞察中国™ #2 “Looking After China’s Own” Quoted by C. Raja Mohan in Indian Express/Yahoo India

C. Raja Mohan, “Citizens Abroad,” Indian Express/Yahoo India, 1 September 2010.
The killing of eight Hong Kong tourists in the Philippines last week has generated both grief and outrage. The incident has also helped sharpen an ongoing policy debate within the Chinese security establishment on how Beijing should protect its citizens and assets in foreign lands. […]

31 August 2010

Chinese Hospital Ship “Peace Ark” Sets Sail for Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Africa to Provide Medical Assistance, Exchange

China’s purpose-built hospital ship, the 10,000-ton Type 920 Daishandao (岱山岛号) Anwei/Peace Ark (AHH 866), has just set out on the first of what will reportedly be annual international deployments to conduct humanitarian operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Peace Ark left the port of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province on 31 August 2010 with a crew of […]

31 August 2010

China Works Harder to Protect its Citizens Overseas

“China Works Harder to Protect its Citizens Overseas,” China Daily, 30 August 2010.
China is showing its determination and efforts to protect its citizens overseas while dealing with the case of the killings of Hong Kong tourists in Manila, said an article in the Wall Street Journal on Aug 25. …
Andrew Erickson, an associate professor in […]

29 August 2010

PLA Carrier-Killer Missile Nearly Ready, Says U.S.

Greg Torode, “PLA Carrier-Killer Missile Nearly Ready, Says U.S.,” South China Morning Post, 28 August 2010.
China’s anti-ship ballistic missile – a long-feared weapon known as the “carrier killer” – is close to operational, according to a senior US military official.
The commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Willard, made the remark in Tokyo this […]

25 August 2010

Asahi Shimbun Quotes Adm. Willard: China’s Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile is Nearly Operational

Yoichi Kato, “China’s Anti-Ship Missile is Nearly Operational,” Asahi Shimbun, 26 August 2010.
A ballistic missile under development in China for the purpose of deterring and attacking U.S. aircraft carriers in the western Pacific is close to becoming operational, according to Adm. Robert Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
Willard provided the assessment in a [24 August] round […]

25 August 2010

PACOM Commander: China’s ASBM “has undergone repeated tests… very close to being operational.”

Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), made the following statement to Japanese media in Tokyo on 24 August 2010:
“To our knowledge, [China’s anti-ship ballistic missile/ASBM] has undergone repeated tests and it is probably very close to being operational.”
Click here for the latest analysis and sources on Chinese ASBM development.

25 August 2010

China Signpost 洞察中国™ #2 Quoted in Wall Street Journal Blog

Jason Dean, “Manila Response Shows Pressure on Beijing,” China Real Time Report, Wall Street Journal, 25 August 2010.
China’s state media continued Wednesday to give big play to the killings of Hong Kong tourists in Manila, in particular trumpeting the official response from Beijing. …
Andrew Erickson, an associate professor in the Strategic Research Department at the […]

23 August 2010

This Space Intentionally Left Blank: The Limits of Chinese Military Power

Dwayne A. Day, “This Space Intentionally Left Blank: The Limits of Chinese Military Power,” The Space Review, 23 August 2010.
… This past week the DoD released its annual report Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China. This is a new name for the report, which previously was called Military Power of the […]