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.
Wendell Minnick, “Sino-U.S. Ties Back on Track, But for How Long?” Defense News, 17 January 2011.
Sino-U.S. military relations appear to be back on track after a Jan. 9-12 visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, but analysts wonder how long the honeymoon will last with the pending U.S. release of a retrofit package for Taiwan’s […]
China’s New Project 718/J-20 Fighter: Development outlook and strategic implications
Posted: 17. Jan, 2011 Last update: 17. Jan, 2011
Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson, “China’s New Project 718/J-20 Fighter: Development outlook and strategic implications,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国), No. 18 (17 January 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
–China’s J-20 fighter has the potential to be a formidable air […]
Defense Writers Group, Vice Admiral David J. Dorsett Deputy CNO for Information Dominance, Transcript of Q&A, Air Force Magazine website, 5 January 2011.
[Edited to fix what appears to be mistranscription of “DF-21D”].
…
Q: Good morning, Admiral. About a year and a half ago Secretary Gates said that we wouldn’t see a Chinese stealth fighter for about […]
David Reese, “CMSI Professors to Speak at China Defense and Security Conference,” Naval War College Public Affairs, 10 January 2010.
Andrew Erickson and Nan Li, professors with the China Maritime Studies Institute at the Naval War College, will serve as guest panelists at the China Defense and Security 2011 conference in Washington, D.C. on February 10. […]
Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Dying for a Spot: China’s Car Ownership Growth is Driving a National Parking Space Shortage,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 17 (10 January 2011).
Major Chinese cities are suffering from a serious shortage of parking space as supporting infrastructure lags rapid car fleet growth. In Luoyang, a man was beaten to death […]
Ronald O’Rourke, “China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service, 23 December 2010.
The question of how the United States should respond to China’s military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, has emerged as a key issue in U.S. defense planning. Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joints […]
Xinhui, “Book Review: ‘China, the United States and 21st Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership’,” China Defense Blog, 5 January 2011.
In the fourth volume of the series “Studies in Chinese Maritime Development” authors from the US Naval War College and their Chinese counterparts (including Rear Admiral Yang Yi, former director of the […]
Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Southern Sudan Referendum: Potential Security Problems for China,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 16 (5 January 2011).
Key Points
The independence referendum in Southern Sudan scheduled for 9 January 2011 is likely to test China’s non-interference policy.
China increasingly faces: 1) assumptions by the global community that it will behave as a global stakeholder […]
Michael Richardson, “China Targeting U.S. Deterrence,” Japan Times, 5 January 2011.
In 1996, China fired ballistic missiles and held military exercises in waters close to Taiwan to warn the electorate not to vote for a pro-independence candidate in presidential elections. In response, the United States sent two aircraft carriers and their warship escorts to the area. It […]
In response to a query from Bloomberg news reporter Tony Capaccio, the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (N2/N6) provided the following responses on Monday 3 January 2011:
1. Does the US Navy agree with ADM Willard’s view that the Chinese have reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the DF 21D?
Answer: The […]
Peter A. Dutton, Military Activities in the EEZ: A U.S.-China Dialogue on Security and International Law in the Maritime Commons, Naval War College China Maritime Study 7 (December 2010).
China is attempting to assemble the technology to challenge the U.S. Navy’s access to the western reaches of “its” lake and thereby challenge the political access that American naval power […]
William Ide, “China Seen Moving Closer to Deployment of ‘Carrier Killer’ Missile,” Voice of America, 29 December 2010.
***Now updated with 19-minute extended Q&A podcast.***
A senior U.S. commander has recently revealed that China’s development of an anti-ship ballistic missile that is designed to target aircraft carriers is now operational. Defense analysts say that while China has a […]
Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Eleven for ’11: Key Things and Events to Watch for in China during 2011,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 15 (1 January 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
As China and the world bound into the Year of the Hare, it is worth examining key trends and events that are likely to […]
William Lowther, “Expert Downplays PRC Threat to Taiwan,” Taipei Times, 30 December 2010, p. 1.
A US military expert is playing down the threat to Taiwan of China’s new DF-21D ballistic anti-ship missile, which is said to be capable of sinking an aircraft carrier.
Four-star US Admiral Robert Willard, commander of the US Pacific Command, made […]
Kathrin Hille, “China Missile Shifts Power in Pacific,” Financial Times, 28 December 2010.
A new Chinese anti-ship missile that will significantly alter the balance of military power in the Pacific is now operational, according to a senior US commander. …
“So now we know – China’s [anti-ship ballistic missile] is no longer aspirational,” Andrew Erickson, an […]
Bill Gertz, “China Deploying Carrier-Sinking Ballistic Missile,” Washington Times, 27 December 2010.
China’s military is deploying a new anti-ship ballistic missile that can sink U.S. aircraft carriers, a weapon that specialists say gives Beijing new power-projection capabilities that will affect U.S. support for Pacific allies. …
Andrew S. Erickson, a professor at the U.S. Naval War […]
Galrahn, “ADM Willard: DF-21D Reaches ‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC),” Information Dissemination, 27 December 2010.
When the 4 Star running PACOM says it (ADM Willard), and one the nations most prominent PLA analysts reports it (Andrew Erickson), it would be difficult to find two better sources for confirmation. Indeed, it might be impossible to find two […]
Jason Miks, “China’s Military Surprises,” The Diplomat, 28 December 2010.
I’ve written before about the common misconception when comparing Chinese and US military power that China somehow needs to go toe-to-toe with the United States to be considered a regional threat. It doesn’t …
So how would China be able to deny US ships access to the […]
Yoichi Kato, National Security Correspondent, “U.S. Commander Says China Aims to be a ‘Global Military’ Power,” Asahi Shimbun, 28 December 2010.
Q [Yoichi Kato]: Let me go into China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. What is the current status of China’s anti-ship ballistic missile development, and how close is it to actual operational deployment?
A [Admiral Robert F. […]
Chinese Undersea Warfare: Development, Capabilities, Trends
Maritime Gray Zone Operations: Challenges and Countermeasures in the Indo-Pacific
Oxford Bibliography: “The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)”
China’s Climate Cooperation Smokescreen: A Roadmap for Seeing Through the Trap and Countering with Competition
Large-Scale Amphibious Warfare in Chinese Military Strategy
Rebalancing U.S. Forces: Basing and Forward Presence in the Asia-Pacific
China’s Near Seas Combat Capabilities
Chinese Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) Development: Drivers, Trajectories and Strategic Implications
Asia’s Rising Energy and Resource Nationalism: Implications for the United States, China, and the Asia-Pacific Region
Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles
China’s S-Curve Trajectory: Structural Factors Will Likely Slow the Growth of China’s Economy and Comprehensive National Power
China, the United States, and 21st-Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership
China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective
China’s Energy Strategy: The Impact on Bejing’s Maritime Policies
China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force
Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy 'Assassin’s Mace' Capability
China’s Nuclear Force Modernization
