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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.

11 March 2020

Breaking News: WHO Finally Declares Coronavirus (COVID-19 via SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic

In the past two weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled.  
There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives. 
Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals.
In the days and weeks ahead, we […]

27 February 2020

New Edition of “Modern Chinese Maritime Forces” Covers World’s Largest Navy, Coast Guard & Maritime Militia in Unmatched Detail!

Manfred Meyer (edited by Larry Bond and Chris Carlson), Modern Chinese Maritime Forces (Admiralty Trilogy Group, 2020).

“A compilation of all ships and boats of the Chinese Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Militia and other national authorities”
Check out pp. 104-06 for unique PAFMM coverage!
You can order a copy here.
Click here to download sample content.
Andrew S. Erickson, “Foreword,” in Manfred Meyer […]

19 February 2020

Office of Naval Intelligence Just Published Latest China & Russia Maritime Ship Recognition Guides

Check them out! Click here to access the China and Russia government naval/maritime ship recognition guide graphics that the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) just published!
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Coast Guard, and Government Maritime Forces 2019-2020 Recognition and Identification Guide (Suitland, MD: U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence, 19 February 2020).

16 February 2020

Important CRS Report with China Content: “U.S. Role in the World: Background & Issues for Congress”

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S. Role in the World: Background & Issues for Congress R44891 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 5 February 2020).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the report via the new public CRS website.
Summary
The U.S. role in the world refers to the […]

16 February 2020

Latest Congressional Research Service Report on Hot Topic: “Renewed Great Power Competition”

Ronald O’Rourke, Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense—Issues for Congress, R43838 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 6 February 2020).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the report via the new public CRS website.
Summary
Many observers have concluded that the post-Cold War era of international relations—which […]

16 February 2020

101st Edition of O’Rourke’s CRS Report Has Latest on CCG, PAFMM—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas: Background & Issues for Congress”

Now in its 101st iteration, not far behind its counterpart on PLA Navy development, this report is indispensable for policy-makers and analysts alike!

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Implications for U.S. Interests—Background and Issues for Congress, R42784 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 6 February 2020).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download […]

15 February 2020

Mapping the Indo-Pacific & Beyond for Decision-Makers: Andrew Rhodes Educates with Geo-History, Strategy & Visual Communications

Andrew Rhodes is a career civil servant who has served as an expert in Asia-Pacific affairs in a variety of analytic, advisory, and staff positions across the Department of Defense and the interagency. He earned a BA in political science from Davidson College, an MA in international relations from The Johns Hopkins University School of […]

15 February 2020

SECDEF Esper at Munich Security Conference: “If the PRC will not change its ways, then defending [the global] system must be our collective priority”

“Remarks by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper at the Munich Security Conference,” U.S. Department of Defense, 15 February 2020.
Good morning, it’s a pleasure to be with you today.
I want to thank the Munich Security Conference for inviting me to speak today.
I can see that the event has grown considerably in size and scope since […]

07 February 2020

CMSI “Red Book” Monographs: Complete Set with Revamped Summaries

Ryan D. Martinson, Echelon Defense: The Role of Sea Power in Chinese Maritime Dispute Strategy, Naval War College China Maritime Study 15 (February 2018).
Since 2006, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has pursued an expansionary agenda in disputed areas of the East and South China Seas. Its primary objective: assert administrative control over all of Chinese-claimed maritime space. […]

03 February 2020

CMSI China Maritime Report #5: “China’s Dreadnought? The PLA Navy’s Type 055 Cruiser and Its Implications for the Future Maritime Security Environment”

Coauthored by CMSI’s Director, Deputy Director, and Founding Director!
Daniel Caldwell, Joseph Freda, and Lyle Goldstein, China’s Dreadnought? The PLA Navy’s Type 055 Cruiser and Its Implications for the Future Maritime Security Environment, China Maritime Report 5 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, February 2020).
Click here to download a cached copy.

Summary
China’s naval modernization, a […]

02 February 2020

Timely New Congressional Research Service Report: “Renewed Great Power Competition”

Ronald O’Rourke, Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense—Issues for Congress, R43838 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 31 January 2020).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the report via the new public CRS website.
Summary
Many observers have concluded that the post-Cold War era […]

01 February 2020

99th Edition of O’Rourke’s CRS Report Offers Latest Content on CCG, PAFMM—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas: Background & Issues for Congress”

Now in its 99th iteration, not far behind its counterpart on PLA Navy development, this report is indispensable for policy-makers and analysts alike!

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Implications for U.S. Interests—Background and Issues for Congress, R42784 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 28 January 2020).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download […]

01 February 2020

Latest Edition of Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report: “China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background & Issues for Congress”

This latest iteration of new streamlined version includes an updated table and discussion for busy readers seeking the latest on PLAN force structure development, plus some China Coast Guard ship numbers for good measure! 
Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress, RL33153 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2020).

If you have trouble […]

24 December 2019

CMSI China Maritime Report #4: “Civil Transport in PLA Power Projection”

Conor M. Kennedy, Civil Transport in PLA Power Projection, China Maritime Report 4 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, December 2019).

Summary
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has ambitious goals for its power projection capabilities. Aside from preparing for the possibility of using force to resolve Beijing’s territorial claims in East Asia, it is also charged […]

23 December 2019

New O’Rourke CRS Report Offers Latest Content on CCG, PAFMM—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas: Background & Issues for Congress”

Now in its 95th iteration, this report is indispensable for policy-makers and analysts alike!

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Implications for U.S. Interests—Background and Issues for Congress, R42784 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 20 December 2019).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to […]

23 December 2019

New Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report: “China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background & Issues for Congress”

This latest iteration of new streamlined version includes an updated table and discussion for busy readers seeking the latest on PLAN force structure development, plus some China Coast Guard ship numbers for good measure! 
Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress, RL33153 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 20 December 2019).

If you have trouble […]

21 December 2019

Traditional Chinese-Language Edition of “The China Questions: Critical Insights into a Rising Power” Published by City University of Hong Kong Press

陸德芙 [Jennifer Rudolph] and 宋怡明 [Michael Szonyi], 編 [Editors]; 余江 [Yu Jiang] and 鄭言 [Zheng Yan], 譯 [Translators], 中國36問—對一個崛起大國的洞察 [The China Questions: Critical Insights into a Rising Power] (香港 [Hong Kong]: 香港城市大學出版社 [City University of Hong Kong Press], 2019).

Traditional Chinese translation of my chapter in this volume: 艾立信 [Andrew S. Erickson], “中國的軍事力量有多強大?” [How Strong Are China’s Armed Forces?], 63–68.

Price:
HK$168.00
(适用于本地付运)
US$25.00
(适用于香港以外地区)
ISBN: 978-962-937-403-7
平装本: 292 页
尺寸: 152 […]

01 December 2019

New O’Rourke CRS Report Has Latest Content on CCG, PAFMM—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas: Background & Issues for Congress”

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Implications for U.S. Interests—Background and Issues for Congress, R42784 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 26 November 2019).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the report via the new public CRS website.
 
KEY EXCERPTS:
USE OF CHINA COAST GUARD […]

28 November 2019

Chris Rahman, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security, Reviews “China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations”

Chris Rahman, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security; review of Andrew S. Erickson and Ryan D. Martinson, eds., China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2019); Marine Policy 110 (December 2019).
China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations is the seventh edited volume in the Studies in Chinese Maritime Development series published in collaboration with […]