Andrew S. Erickson

Andrew S. Erickson, Conor M. Kennedy, and Ryan D. Martinson, eds., Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion (Newport, RI: Naval War College Press, 7 November 2024).

Coauthor of:

• Andrew S. Erickson, Conor M. Kennedy, and Ryan D. Martinson, “Introduction: Taking Taiwan by Force? Chinese Amphibious Warfare in the New Era,” 1–12.
• Andrew S. Erickson and Gabriel B. Collins, “Deterring (or Defeating) a PLA Invasion: Recommendations for Taipei,” 457–72.

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The China Maritime Studies Institute is thrilled to announce the publication of our latest conference edited volume, “Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion.” Edited by Dr. Andrew Erickson, Professor Conor Kennedy and Professor Ryan Martinson, this is a volume you will want to download immediately and reference frequently!

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Through concerted efforts over the past quarter-century, the People’s Republic of China has achieved the most dramatic military buildup since World War II. Previously limited in its ability to conduct its Joint Firepower Strike, Joint Blockade, and Joint Island Landing Campaigns against Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is making rapid progress across the board as it prepares to meet the requirements of Xi Jinping’s Taiwan-focused Centennial Military Building Goal of 2027. Drawing on research, writing, and insights from some of the world’s leading experts, CMSI’s latest edited conference volume probes key questions concerning Beijing’s determined pursuit of the Chinese Communist Party’s ultimate political and strategic prize: How might the PLA attempt to execute a Joint Island Landing Campaign to achieve a cross-Strait invasion of Taiwan, what might be its prospects for success, and what must Taiwan—with American support—do urgently to shore up deterrence? The findings are nuanced but bracing. The saving grace, till now, is that Taiwan enjoys formidable defensive geography, and a large-scale amphibious invasion is one of the most difficult military operations to accomplish. However, under Xi’s concerted directives, China’s military is reforming relentlessly, bringing critical new capabilities to bear, and training tirelessly to improve its ability to carry out the operations on which it is bore-sighted. The stakes could scarcely be higher, and the clock is ticking.

BLURBS

“Singularly comprehensive and timely. Chinese Amphibious Warfare is indispensable in assessing Taiwan Strait scenarios, China’s regional maritime objectives and capabilities, and Beijing’s increasing global maritime influence. Necessarily wide in scope, yet rich in detail, it is both an authoritative primer and matchless reference for all interested in the potential for and possible outcomes of conflict in a fraught region and beyond.”

“There is a vast and ever-growing literature on the issue of whether China intends to invade Taiwan. But much of this literature ignores an equally important issue: is China capable of invading Taiwan? No other non-classified work even comes close to this book’s comprehensive coverage of this critical question of China’s capacities. No future discussion of potential Taiwan Strait scenarios will be complete unless it incorporates the findings and insights of this book. Its thoughtful and thought-provoking implications extend far beyond the military realm.”

— DR. MICHAEL SZONYI, Frank Wen-Hsiung Wu Memorial Professor of Chinese History and former Director, Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University; Author of Cold War Island: Quemoy on the Front Line

“This meticulous and compelling study concludes that China is developing the capabilities for a cross-Strait invasion in a comprehensive manner. It also makes clear that the forced annexation of Taiwan would be a daunting and costly mission for the PLA. Chinese Amphibious Warfare makes clear that the time is now to help Taiwan strengthen its defenses.”

— LIEUTENANT GENERAL H. R. MCMASTER, U.S. Army (Ret.), 25th U.S. National Security Advisor; Author of Battlegrounds and At War with Ourselves; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University

“Amid rising cross-Strait tensions, Chinese Amphibious Warfare delivers timely insights into China’s strategic calculus and military capabilities concerning Taiwan. It is a critical read for policymakers, military leaders, and others seeking to understand a contingency that holds significant implications for international security and the global economy.”

— JENNIFER WELCH, Chief Geoeconomics Analyst, Bloomberg Economics; former Director for China and Taiwan, National Security Council

“For a long time to come, Chinese Amphibious Warfare will be the go-to volume for understanding the PLA’s strengths and weaknesses in executing an amphibious invasion of Taiwan. Written by an impressive cohort of experts, each of twenty chapters is evidence-based in its analysis and balanced in its conclusions. The policy implications for the United States, Taiwan, and Japan are sobering, but the authors identify ways to complicate PLA operations and strengthen deterrence.”

— DR. RICHARD C. BUSH, former Chairman and Managing Director, American Institute in Taiwan; Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

MAPS FROM VOLUME:

SELECTED EXHIBITS FROM VOLUME:

FROM ORDER OF BATTLE APPENDIX: “CROSSING THE STRAIT? PLA AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS RELEVANT TO TAIWAN SCENARIOS”

Chronological list of CMSI’s edited “Studies in Chinese Maritime Development” conference volumes:

• Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, William S. Murray, and Andrew R. Wilson, eds., China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2007).
• Gabriel B. Collins, Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, eds., China’s Energy Strategy: The Impact on Beijing’s Maritime Policies (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2008).
• Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and Carnes Lord, eds., China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, July 2009; paperback 15 June 2021).
• Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and Nan Li, eds., China, the United States, and 21st Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2010).
• Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2011).
• Andrew S. Erickson, ed., Chinese Naval Shipbuilding: An Ambitious and Uncertain Course (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2016; paperback 15 February 2023).
• Andrew S. Erickson and Ryan D. Martinson, eds., China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2019; paperback 15 January 2023).