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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.

03 December 2009

Priorities and Challenges in China’s Naval Deployment in the Horn of Africa

Richard Weitz, “Priorities and Challenges in China’s Naval Deployment in the Horn of Africa,” Jamestown China Brief, Vol. 9, No. 24, 3 December 2009.
For a few days in mid-November, it looked like the Chinese government was prepared to take the unprecedented step to lead a multinational security operation involving the armed forces of Russia, the […]

17 November 2009

“China’s New Missile May Create a ‘No-Go Zone’ for U.S. Fleet”

Tony Capaccio, “China’s New Missile May Create a ‘No-Go Zone’ for U.S. Fleet,” Bloomberg, 17 November 2009.
China’s military is close to fielding the world’s first anti-ship ballistic missile, according to U.S. Navy intelligence. The missile, with a range of almost 900 miles (1,500 kilometers), would be fired from mobile, land-based launchers and is “specifically designed […]

15 November 2009

Required Reading: Naval War College Review Articles on China’s DF-21/ASBM

“Required Reading: Naval War College Review Articles on China’s DF-21/ ASBM,” Missile Defense, Steeljaw Scribe, 15 November 2009.
… The most recent open press article was that found in the May 2009 issue of the Naval Institute’s Proceedings.
With the autumn 2009 issue of the Naval War College Review, that body of knowledge has been significantly expanded […]

10 November 2009

Lectured on China Goes to Sea at Harvard Fairbank Center

Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Maritime Transformation,” presented at “China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformations in Comparative Historical Perspective” panel, New England China Seminar, Fairbank Center, Harvard University, 17 November 2009.

Lecture: “China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective”
New England China Seminar, John K. Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies
Location: CGIS South Building, 1730 Cambridge […]

09 November 2009

China’s Naval Nationalism: Sources, Prospects, and the U.S. Response

Robert S. Ross, “China’s Naval Nationalism: Sources, Prospects, and the U.S. Response,” International Security 34, no. 2 (Fall 2009), pp. 46-81.

Recent developments in Chinese politics and defense policy indicate that China will soon embark on an ambitious maritime policy that will include construction of a power-projection navy centered on an aircraft carrier. But just as […]

05 November 2009

The New U.S. Maritime Strategy Surfaces (Spanish/Español Version)

陆儒德 [Lu Rude], “美海上新战略浮出水面” [La Aparición de una Nueva Estrategia Marítima para los Estados Unidos (The New U.S. Maritime Strategy Surfaces)], 人民海军 [People’s Navy] (27 November 2007): 3. Translated by Andrew Erickson, in Paul D. Taylor, ed., Perspectivas Sobre Estrageica Marítima: Ensayos de las Américas, La Nueva Strategia Marítima de EE UU y Comentario Sobre Una Estrategia Cooperativa […]

30 October 2009

Japan and the East Asian Maritime Security Order: Prospects for Trilateral and Multilateral Cooperation

Gaye Christoffersen, “Japan and the East Asian Maritime Security Order: Prospects for Trilateral and Multilateral Cooperation,” Asian Perspective, Vol. 33, No. 3 (Fall 2009), pp. 107-149.
Japan has pursued a grand strategy of creating an East Asian maritime order with a special emphasis on situating a U.S.-Japan-China trilateral arrangement, based on cooperative security, at the core […]

28 October 2009

India’s Growing Role in the Gulf: Implications for the Region and the United States

C. Raja Mohan, “India’s Strategic Challenges in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf,” in Abdulaziz Sager and Geoffrey Kemp, eds., India’s Growing Role in the Gulf: Implications for the Region and the United States (Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Gulf Research Center 28 October 2009).
… India and China have achieved a remarkable diplomatic presence in the […]

01 October 2009

China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities

C. Fred Bergsten, Charles Freeman, Nicholas R. Lardy, and Derek J. Mitchell, China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities (Washington, DC: Peterson Institute for International Economics, 1 October 2009).
The global economic crisis has made clear China’s importance and expanding role on the world stage. The bestselling book, China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities—now available in paperback—explains actions both […]

30 September 2009

A Few Good Reads

“A Few Good Reads,” Information Dissemination, 30 September 2009.
… See the new article at the Jamestown Foundation by Michael S. Chase and Andrew S. Erickson Changes in Beijing’s Approach to Overseas Basing? It would appear the conversation of limited forward basing has begun in China. This is still a far cry from the “String of […]

24 September 2009

Changes in Beijing’s Approach to Overseas Basing?

Michael S. Chase and Andrew S. Erickson, “Changing Beijing’s Approach to Overseas Basing?” Jamestown China Brief 9.19 (24 September 2009).
Although China has traditionally avoided basing its troops abroad, the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) growing global interests and its military’s evolving missions are leading some Chinese analysts to suggest that Beijing may need to reconsider its […]

23 September 2009

Presented “Chinese Mine Warfare” at NDIA “Clambake” Conference

Andrew S. Erickson, “Chinese Mine Warfare,” presented at plenary session, “Undersea Warfare: Full Spectrum Capabilities to Preserve Freedom of the Seas,” Joint Undersea Warfare Technology Conference, U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London, CT, 23 September 2009.
After a lengthy hiatus lasting nearly six centuries, China is reemerging as a maritime power. The heart of the Beijing’s […]

22 September 2009

China’s Arrival: A Strategic Framework for a Global Relationship

Abraham Denmark and Nirav Patel, eds., China’s Arrival: A Strategic Framework for a Global Relationship (Washington, DC: Center for a New American Security, 22 September 2009).
China’s rise is one of the most significant geopoliti­cal events in modern history, rivaling America’s ascent more than a century before. Leading news­papers and blogs from around the world provide […]

16 September 2009

China’s Evolving Conventional Strategic Strike Capability

Mark Stokes, “China’s Evolving Conventional Strategic Strike Capability: the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Challenge to U.S. Maritime Operations in the Western Pacific and Beyond,” Occasional Paper, (Arlington, VA: Project 2049 Institute, 14 September 2009).
Project 2049 Institute Executive Director Mark Stokes has released a new study on China’s anti-ship ballistic missile challenge, which could alter the strategic […]

15 September 2009

Maritime Security Cooperation in the South China Sea Region

Andrew S. Erickson, “Maritime Security Cooperation in the South China Sea Region,” in Wu Shicun and Zou Keyuan, eds., Maritime Security in the South China Sea: Regional Implications and International Cooperation (London: Ashgate, 2009), 51-80.
The greater South China Sea region boasts increasing maritime commerce but faces growing unconventional security threats. A wide variety of bilateral and […]

12 September 2009

A National Asset in Newport

“A National Asset in Newport,” Information Dissemination, 11 September 2009.
Earlier in the week, Galrahn made us all aware of some of the pickings from the Naval War College Review‘s August 2009 edition. Having written here before about the Chinese Anti-ship Ballistic Missile Program, I was excited to see an article co-authored by Andrew Erickson and […]

08 September 2009

It Takes A Carrier: Naval Aviation and the Hybrid Fight

Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, U.S. Navy, “It Takes A Carrier: Naval Aviation and the Hybrid Fight,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Vol. 135, No. 9 (September 2009).
Carriers still provide capability unmatched by any other weapon system in the U.S. arsenal.
One need only open a newspaper to see the incredible challenges facing our military today. An […]

08 September 2009

Using the Land to Control the Sea? Chinese Analysts Consider the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile

Andrew S. Erickson and David D. Yang, “Using the Land to Control the Sea? Chinese Analysts Consider the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile,” Naval War College Review 62.4 (Autumn 2009): 53–86.

This article won the Naval War College Foundation Hugh G. Nott Prize (second place) in 2009.

Established in the early 1980s, this award is presented by the President of […]

08 September 2009

China’s Antiship Ballistic Missile: Developments and Missing Links

Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin, “China’s Antiship Ballistic Missile: Developments and Missing Links,” Naval War College Review, Vol. 62, No. 4 (Autumn 2009), pp. 87-115, A1-2.
… China’s interest in ASBM capability seems logical on the basis of its perceptions of its strategic environment and as a natural outgrowth of its robust missile program. Yet at […]