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.
Brilliant historical insights from Naval War College Professor Paul Smith!
On 4 September 1958, President Eisenhower arguably resolved the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis from just outside his special office—on the side porch of Navy Building 10, today the Naval War College Museum. Click here to watch a two-minute newsreel on YouTube.
Dr. Smith’s forthcoming book uniquely documents […]
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, […]
This event is sponsored and organized by the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University.
Harvard University, CGIS South S020, Belfer Case Study Room
1730 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Wednesday, April 30 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Andrew S. Erickson, Professor of Strategy, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College; Visiting Scholar 2024-25, Fairbank Center for […]
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).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED PDF.
From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Military Watchers: The most common mission of China’s maritime militia is to serve as the “eyes” of […]
Naval War College Lecture of Opportunity
Title: Planning for War at Sea: 400 Years of Great Power Competition
Speakers: Evan Wilson, Paul Kennedy, John Hattendorf, Kevin McCranie, John Maurer, Ryan Wadle, and Andrew Erickson
Date: 21 April 2025
Time: 1200-1315
Location: Spruance Auditorium and Zoom
POC: Evan Wilson
Andrew S. Erickson, “Adversaries and Planning Assumptions: China’s Navy and the Post-Cold War World,” presentation of chapter […]
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 […]
Nobody outside of China has a better view into developments of concern regarding China’s armed forces than Admiral Sam Paparo, Commander, Indo-Pacific Command since 3 May 2024. Previously Commander, Pacific Fleet starting 5 May 2021. Four years of daily observation of PRC military developments down to the smallest externally observable detail. His prepared statement and […]
Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Naval Leadership: Corruption and Capabilities,” Visiting Scholar Presentation, Fairbank Center, Harvard University, 14 April 2025.
14 April 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm, CGIS South, Room S050, 730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Speaker: Andrew S. Erickson, Professor of Strategy, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College
Regarding China’s ability to seize […]
Since Xi assumed power in 2012, an extraordinary array of flag and general officers, as well as defense industry leaders, has been removed. By my running tally, this includes: 15+ senior military officials and defense industry executives; 8 CMC members, including Vice Chairman General He Weidong; 14 military deputies to National People’s Congress (since March 2023 […]
Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Secret Weapon for Taiwan Invasion? Meet the Shuiqiao Bridge Barges,” 19FortyFive, 9 April 2025.
SMART BOMBS: MILITARY, DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
China’s Secret Weapon For Taiwan Invasion? Meet The Shuiqiao Bridge Barges
China’s new bridge-barges are purpose-built for an amphibious invasion of Taiwan. In a contemporary echo of the Allied construction of the Mulberry artificial […]
Important, impactful insights! This vital authoritative report and accompanying annex show just how dramatically and systematically China has built up its space and counterspace assets, and just how aggressively Russia has developed and postured its own. Of fundamental concern are the sheer number of satellites China now has in orbit, particularly for ISR, as part […]
Ian M. Easton, “Operation Causeway: Taiwan’s Wartime History and Implications for the Current Strategic Environment,” presentation at Joint Special Operations University, Tampa, Florida.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH PROFESSOR EASTON’S LECTURE ON YOUTUBE.
VIEW A 1-MINUTE PROMO CLIP.
Join us for an eye-opening discussion on Operation Causeway, the ambitious but ultimately canceled U.S. plan to invade Taiwan during World […]
As we wind through the Year of the Snake, China under Xi is steaming full speed ahead, particularly at sea. Navigate troubled Indo-Pacific waters by consulting the latest version of Modern Chinese Maritime Forces, released today! This most recent iteration of the Second Edition includes sections for PLA Army (pp. 63–75) and PLA Air Force […]
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).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED COPY.
From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
The ongoing PLA show of force around Taiwan is grabbing the headlines with Taiwan’s […]
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 […]
Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Naval Leadership: Corruption and Capabilities,” Visiting Scholar Presentation, Fairbank Center, Harvard University, 14 April 2025.
14 April 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm, CGIS South, Room S050, 730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Speaker: Andrew S. Erickson, Professor of Strategy, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College
Regarding China’s ability to seize […]
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).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED PDF COPY.
From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
If you read one report about China’s military developments today, read CMSI […]
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).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED PDF COPY.
From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Navy Watchers: What might an increase in Chinese Navy operations around Taiwan suggest […]
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 […]
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
