A new way to understand China...

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.

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

“Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles,” Eight Bells Book Lecture, Naval War College Museum Second Deck, Newport, RI, Thursday 8 September 2011, 12:00 p.m.

This talk by Dr. Andrew S. Erickson, China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), will introduce his new co-edited volume Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles. This is the first book to address both the Chinese aerospace challenge and its implications for U.S. naval strategy.
This is the first event in a new season of the 8 Bells [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Asian Alliances in the 21st Century

Dan Blumenthal with Randall Schriver, Mark Stokes, L.C. Russell Hsiao and Michael Mazza, Asian Alliances in the 21st Century (Arlington, VA: Project 2049 Institute, 2011).
Asia will become the epicenter of geopolitical activity in the 21st century and the budding U.S.-China security rivalry, conditioned by deep economic interdependence, will shape the region’s future. The United States [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Air Power Trends in Northeast Asia: Implications for Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Oriana Skylar Mastro and Mark Stokes, Air Power Trends in Northeast Asia: Implications for Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance (Arlington, VA: Project 2049 Institute, 2011).
The shifting balance of aerospace power in Northeast Asia is creating an increasingly uncertain strategic environment for Japan. Japan is warily eyeing China’s growing military might while also vigilantly watching Russia’s [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Feng, PLA Blogspot: “China and Vietnam”

Feng, “China and Vietnam,” PLA Blogspot, 21 August 2011.
This is the second part in my series to talk about what I gathered from the recent readings. Since last year, there have been increased amount of noise from ASEAN countries about China’s increased assertiveness in the area. The most vocal of those countries is Vietnam. That [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

From Shanghai to Somalia: China’s Contributions to the Security of Seaborne Commerce in Asia and Beyond

Andrew S. Erickson, “From Shanghai to Somalia: China’s Contributions to the Security of Seaborne Commerce in Asia and Beyond,” in 沈丁立, 张贵洪, 主编 [Shen Dingli and Zhang Guihong, eds], 亚洲国际关系的重构 [Restructuring of International Relations in Asia] (Shanghai: 上海人民出版社 [Shanghai People’s Press], 2011), 241-75.
China is contributing increasingly to the security of the global maritime commons as [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

China’s S-Shaped Threat

Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins, “China’s S-Shaped Threat,” The Diplomat, 6 September 2011.
Analysts of international relations have focused lately on China’s potential challenges to the international system. But China’s greatest challenges may in fact be internal. The implications will be significant.
China is assumed by many to be destined to overtake the US as the world’s [...]

06 September 2011 ~ View Comments

5 Star Review of Chinese Aerospace Power by Harry Kazianis, Deputy Editor, e-International Relations

Harry Kazianis, “Review: Chinese Aerospace Power, Evolving Maritime Roles,” 5 Stars, e-International Relations, 6 September 2011.
Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles edited by Andrew Erickson and Lyle Goldstein takes on the timely subject of Chinese aerospace technology and its role in the creation of a modern Chinese naval maritime force. Both editors are well respected [...]

05 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Feng, Information Dissemination: “Evolution of PLAAF Doctrine/Training”

Feng, “Evolution of PLAAF Doctrine/Training,” Information Dissemination, 31 August 2011.
This is the part 4 in the series of reviewing the content of the recent book that I read. I will be looking at the evolution of PLAAF training and doctrine. This is one area that is hard to write about, because we simply don’t have [...]

05 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Feng, Information Dissemination: “China/Russia Military Cooperation”

Feng, “China/Russia Military Cooperation,” Information Dissemination, 28 August 2011.
This is the part 3 in the series of reviewing the content of the recent book that I read. In the past, I have often been harsh toward the recent China/Russia military cooperation. I have frequently stated that the Russians have limited military technology that it can [...]

05 September 2011 ~ View Comments

Feng, Information Dissemination: “The Legacy of Liu Huaqing”

Feng, “The Legacy of Liu Huaqing,” Information Dissemination, 20 August 2011.
Recently, I’ve read a couple of books regarding the development of Chinese air force. … Over the next few weeks, I plan to write several entries on different aspects of PLAAF modernization. The first topic that I decided to make is the legacy of Liu Huaqing, [...]