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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.

13 December 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #86: “Gasoline, Natural Gas, and Aluminum are Bright Spots for China Commodity Demand in 2014 as Steel and Coal Weaken”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Gasoline, Natural Gas, and Aluminum are Bright Spots for China Commodity Demand in 2014 as Steel and Coal Weaken,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 86 (12 December 2014).

Gasoline, natural gas, and aluminum are China’s commodity demand bright spots so far in 2014—amidst a significant downturn in consumption of key basic […]

06 December 2014

Have We Just Glimpsed China’s Vision of Future Aircraft Carrier Designs?

Andrew S. Erickson, “Asia Get Ready: Is This China’s Vision of Future Aircraft Carrier Designs?” The National Interest, 8 December 2014.
Originally published as: Andrew S. Erickson, “Have We Just Glimpsed China’s Vision of Future Aircraft Carrier Designs?” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国 (6 December 2014).
A high-caliber model manufacturer may just have provided a unique glimpse […]

05 December 2014

The Militarization of China’s Coast Guard

Ryan D. Martinson, “The Militarization of China’s Coast Guard,” The Diplomat, 21 November 2014.
Plans for China’s still nascent coast guard suggest troubled times ahead in disputed waters.
With new “China Coast Guard” ships entering service at regular intervals, it is easy to forget that the China Coast Guard as an organization does not yet exist in […]

04 December 2014

CNAS Releases Amy Chang’s Report on China’s Cyber Strategy

Click here to read Amy Chang’s interview in New York Times.
Download full text of the report here.
CNAS Releases Report on China’s Cyber Strategy
Report Reveals the Political, Economic, and Military Objectives
of China’s Cybersecurity Strategy
Washington, December 3 – Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Technology and National Security Program Research Associate Amy Chang has written a new report, “Warring State: China’s Cybersecurity Strategy.” […]

01 December 2014

China’s New CX-1 Supersonic Anti-Ship Cruise Missile—Wendell Minnick’s After-Action Report from Zhuhai Airshow

Wendell Minnick, “China’s CX-1 Missile Now Exportable,” Defense News, 1 December 2014.
TAIPEI — China’s new CX-1 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile is ready for export to America’s friends and foes alike, with potential markets including Iran, Pakistan and African and South American countries.
On display at the recent Airshow China in Zhuhai, the missile resembles India’s BrahMos […]

27 November 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #85: “Mapping China’s Gas Pipeline Buildout: Follow Lights and Railroads”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Mapping China’s Gas Pipeline Buildout: Follow Lights and Railroads,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 85 (25 November 2014).

China’s gas supply deficit continues to rise. It is being propelled by booming demand and slowing domestic gas production increases (the deficit was 45% of demand as of June 2014). Now looming on […]

24 November 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #84: “Tank Watch: What Do China’s November 2014 SPR Data Tell Us?”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Tank Watch: What Do China’s November 2014 SPR Data Tell Us?” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 84 (24 November 2014).

On November 20, China’s National Statistics Bureau unveiled a G-20 surprise by publishing inventory data for four of the country’s strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) sites: Dalian, Huangdao, Zhenhai, and Zhoushan. These […]

24 November 2014

Racing toward Tragedy?: China’s Rise, Military Competition in the Asia Pacific, and the Security Dilemma

Adam P. Liff and G. John Ikenberry, “Racing toward Tragedy?: China’s Rise, Military Competition in the Asia Pacific, and the Security Dilemma,” International Security 39.2 (Fall 2014): 52-91.

Posted Online November 21, 2014.
© 2014 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Adam P. Liff
Adam P. Liff is Assistant Professor of […]

21 November 2014

UPENN China Scholars Jacques deLisle & Avery Goldstein Publish Interdisciplinary Edited Volume on “China’s Challenges”

Jacques deLisle and Avery Goldstein, eds., China’s Challenges (Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014).
When the “fifth generation” of Communist Party leaders in China assumed top political positions in 2012-2013, they took the helm of a country that has achieved remarkable economic growth, political stability, and international influence. Yet China today confronts challenges at least as daunting […]

21 November 2014

China’s Growing Naval Capability: A View from the United States

Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Growing Naval Capability: A View from the United States,” Jane’s Navy International, 18 November 2014.
As China’s global maritime influence grows in seas both near and far from its shores, the one other naval power whose path it will cross in all such regions is the United States. Professor Andrew Erickson considers […]

21 November 2014

2014 Annual Report to Congress Released by U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission

2014 Annual Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session (Washington, DC: USCC, 20 November 2014).

Report PDFs:

2014 Annual Report to Congress
Executive Summary
Comprehensive List of Recommendations

Chapters:

Chapter 1 U.S.-China Economic and Trade Relations
Chapter 1; Section 1 Year in Review – Economics and Trade
Chapter 1; Section 2 U.S.-China Bilateral […]

17 November 2014

China’s Blue Soft Power: Antipiracy, Engagement, and Image Enhancement

Andrew S. Erickson and Austin M. Strange, “China’s Blue Soft Power: Antipiracy, Engagement, and Image Enhancement,” Naval War College Review 68.1 (Winter 2015): 71–91.
Translated in traditional Chinese as:
艾瑞克森 [Andrew S. Erickson] 博士、史崔奇 [Austin M. Strange] 博士生; 譯者: 翟文中 (海軍備役上校) [Translation by Capt. CHAI Wen-Chung, ROC-N (Ret.)], “中國大陸的遠洋軟實力 打擊海盜、國際交往與形象提升(上)” [Mainland China’s Use of Blue Water Soft Power […]

17 November 2014

Writing to Think: The Intellectual Journey of a Naval Career

Robert C. Rubel, Writing to Think: The Intellectual Journey of a Naval Career, Naval War College Newport Paper 41 (2014).
NEWPORT PAPER 41- In his introduction to the forty-first Newport Paper monogram,Writing to Think: The Intellectual Journey of a Naval Career, Captain Robert C. “Barney” Rubel writes, “The articles in this Newport Paper are a selection of those […]

17 November 2014

Dennis Gormley: What 10th Zhuhai Airshow Reveals About China’s Military Capabilities

Bree Feng, “Q. and A.: Dennis M. Gormley on China’s Military Capabilities,” SinoSphere, New York Times, 10 November 2014.
Every two years since 1996, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the largest air show in China, has been held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, attracting thousands of commercial traders and military enthusiasts. This year its opening […]

17 November 2014

China Shows Off New Stealth Fighter

Bill Savadove, “China Shows Off New Stealth Fighter,” AFP, 12 November 2014.
Zhuhai (China) (AFP) – China’s new stealth jet fighter rocketed skywards Wednesday as Beijing puts on an unprecedented display of openness — and military force — at the country’s premier airshow.
The black J-31 rose in a nearly vertical climb on take-off in Zhuhai before […]

09 November 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #83: “China’s First Cold Snap Will Once Again Expose Serious Natural Gas Shortages and Drive Historically High LNG Import Demand”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s First Cold Snap Will Once Again Expose Serious Natural Gas Shortages and Drive Historically High LNG Import Demand,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 83 (9 November 2014).

China’s weather so far in Fall 2014 has been relatively mild, in contrast to 2009 and 2013, when November cold waves prompted major […]

09 November 2014

Obama, Xi to Meet in Beijing Amid Political and Economic Strains

David Nakamura and Steven Mufson, “Obama, Xi to Meet in Beijing Amid Political and Economic Strains,” Washington Post, 8 November 2014.
When President Obama arrives in Beijing on Monday for his first visit since 2009, Chinese President Xi Jinping will welcome him with all the pomp of a state visit. That evening, fireworks will open a […]

05 November 2014

Col. Steve Hagel, USAF (Ret.), Air Force Research Institute, Reviews “Rebalancing U.S. Forces” in Strategic Studies Quarterly

Col. Steve Hagel, USAF (Ret.), Defense Analyst, Air Force Research Institute; review of Carnes Lord and Andrew S. Erickson, eds., Rebalancing U.S. Forces: Basing and Forward Presence in the Asia-Pacific (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2014); Strategic Studies Quarterly (November 2014).
Hagel is absolutely correct that we had to make difficult choices regarding what to include in the […]

05 November 2014

Time to Make Lemonade: Dan Twining Explains How President Obama Can Work With Congress to Secure Asia-Pacific Rebalance Legacy

One of the great things in life (in politics and elsewhere) is that even setbacks bring opportunities. Dan Twining makes a persuasive case that President Obama needs to act now to shore up his Asia-Pacific Rebalance–a signature part of his legacy that is not yet sufficiently funded or implemented. It’s time to make a full pitcher […]