Andrew S. Erickson

NEWPORT, R.I. – Panelists discuss senior leadership of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) at the U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) 14th biennial China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Conference, held onboard Naval Station Newport, May 14-15. Biennial CMSI conferences serve to stimulate focused research and foster dialogue among topic experts resulting in enhanced understanding and […]

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John Chen and Joel Wuthnow, Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy, Naval War College China Maritime Study 18 (9 May 2025).

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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:

This Red Book dives into a topic that is rarely discussed and almost never researched, the PLA’s naval special operations forces’ most […]

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Read the latest and greatest from my brilliant my Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) colleague Prof. Ryan Martinson! Review his unique insights on PLA maritime strategy and PLA Navy personnel issues as we analyze the fall of Admiral Miao Hua (苗华) and Vice Admiral Li Pengcheng (李鹏程) and watch for more shoes to […]

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Don’t miss this pithy distillation of Ryan Martinson’s cutting-edge findings concerning the PLA Navy’s closest equivalent to the U.S. Naval War College—the Naval Command College in Nanjing, where professional military education is doubling down on the fundamentals of naval operations and warfighting regarding scenarios of greatest concern. The Party commands ideological obedience and limitations persist, […]

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Ryan D. Martinson, China’s Fishermen Spies: Intelligence Specialists in the Maritime Militia, China Maritime Report 46 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 23 April 2025).

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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Military Watchers: The most common mission of China’s maritime militia is to serve as the “eyes” of […]

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Jian Huajun and Zhu Haishi, “Analysis of Problems with Warship Damage Control Plans & Methods for Preparing Damage Control Plans,” CMSI Translation 17 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 17 April 2025).
My take: Damage control is hard for ALL navies. The U.S. Navy has years of experience & emphasis. The PLA Navy grew up influenced […]

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Ian M. Easton, “Operation Causeway: Taiwan’s Wartime History and Implications for the Current Strategic Environment,” presentation at Joint Special Operations University, Tampa, Florida.

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Join us for an eye-opening discussion on Operation Causeway, the ambitious but ultimately canceled U.S. plan to invade Taiwan during World […]

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Fang Zheng, “Tracking Their Wake: How Strong Is the U.S. Navy Today?” CMSI Translation 16 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 1 April 2025).

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From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
The ongoing PLA show of force around Taiwan is grabbing the headlines with Taiwan’s […]

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Over 29,600 views on YouTube as of 31 March 2025!
Captain Christopher Sharman, USN (Ret.), Director, China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), “China’s World-Class Navy ‘in the New Era’: Ends, Ways, Means,” Issues in National Security Lecture, Naval War College, 11 February 2025.

From the presenter himself—CMSI Director Chris Sharman:
China Navy Watchers: China seeks to build a World-Class […]

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J. Michael Dahm and Thomas Shugart, “Bridges Over Troubled Waters: Shuiqiao-Class Landing Barges in PLA Navy Amphibious Operations,” CMSI Note 14 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 20 March 2025).

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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:

If you read one report about China’s military developments today, read CMSI […]

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K. Tristan Tang, “PLA Navy Enhances Realistic Combat Training: Observations of PLA Navy Operations Around Taiwan,” CMSI Note 13 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 13 March 2025).

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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Navy Watchers: What might an increase in Chinese Navy operations around Taiwan suggest […]

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Brilliant analysis by my China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) colleague. Illuminates critical topic: Taiwan-relevant China Maritime Militia developments right across the Strait in Fujian Province!
Ryan D. Martinson, “Fujian Unveils Incentives for Militia Training for a Cross-Strait Campaign,” Jamestown China Brief 25.5 (15 March 2025).

Executive Summary: 

Fujian Province’s new “Measures for Guaranteeing Militia Rights and Interests” aim […]

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Qian Xiaohu, Mo Xiaoliang, Wang Guanbiao, and Liu Bin, “Inscribing Loyalty While Endeavoring to Advance into the Deep Blue,” CMSI Translation 15 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 12 March 2025).

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From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
The Party Committee aboard PLAN warships plays an […]

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The Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI)’s publications are always free of charge, copyright-free, publicly released-distribution unlimited—and also available here!

CMSI publishes penetrating insights related to China’s military maritime developments through academic research using Chinese-language sources.
CMSI research informs U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps civilian and military leaders, and educates the joint force’s next […]

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Honored to see our new coedited volume “Chinese Amphibious Warfare” added to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program’s 2025 Reading List!

Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion by Andrew S. Erickson, et al.
This study explores key questions concerning Beijing’s determined pursuit of the Chinese Communist Party’s ultimate political and strategic prize: […]

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Ryan D. Martinson, “War without Surprises—Education for Command in the People’s Liberation Army Navy,” Naval War College Review 77.3 (Summer/Autumn 2024): 14–27.

In the lead article for a special double issue of Naval War College Review, published in commemoration of the Naval War College’s 140th anniversary, CMSI Professor Ryan Martinson analyzes the professional development of China’s […]

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Ian Easton, “Finally, A PLA Navy Missile Gap?” CMSI Note 12 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 20 February 2025).
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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:

CMSI is pleased to provide you with our latest CMSI Note.
This short CMSI Note is written about a special report published this month in […]

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Read the latest and greatest from my brilliant my Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) colleague Prof. Ryan Martinson! Review his unique insights on PLA Navy personnel issues as we analyze the fall of Admiral Miao Hua (苗华) and Vice Admiral Li Pengcheng (李鹏程) and watch for more shoes to drop…
For analysis of Chinese […]

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Jonathan Robinson, The PLA Navy’s Hospital Ship Fleet: Concerns, Developments, and Future Prospects, China Maritime Report 45 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 10 February 2025).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
What do you know about the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) hospital ship fleet? What ships are a part of the PRC’s hospital ship […]

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