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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.

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 […]

05 November 2014

Lead-Up to Beijing APEC Summit: The National Interest Hosts Great Debate on U.S.-China Strategic Relations

The National Interest demonstrates once again why it is one of the go-to forums for serious policy analysts. I’m always proud to publish there, and it’s a very enjoyable experience. Here’s why: instead of stipulating slick, superficial posts, the editors encourage in-depth analysis and serious debates. They even allow for occasional Chinese characters, which is […]

05 November 2014

China’s Recent Submarine Development & Deployment: Two Great Articles

Two unusually well-written articles by top journalists. Definitely worth reading if you haven’t already.
 
Jeremy Page, “Deep Threat: China’s Submarines Add Nuclear-Strike Capability, Altering Strategic Balance,” Wall Street Journal, October 24, 2014.
One Sunday morning last December, China’s defense ministry summoned military attachés from several embassies to its monolithic Beijing headquarters.
To the foreigners’ surprise, the Chinese said […]

05 November 2014

“China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress”: Latest Version of Ronald O’Rourke’s Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report

Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 8 September 2014), RL33153.
Summary
China is building a modern and regionally powerful Navy with a modest but growing capability for conducting operations beyond China’s near-seas region. The question of how the United States should respond to China’s military modernization effort, including its […]

03 November 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #82: “Gasoline Alley: How Much Gasoline Demand Are Each Million Cars Sold in China Worth?”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Gasoline Alley: How Much Gasoline Demand Are Each Million Cars Sold in China Worth?” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 82 (3 November 2014).

Key Takeaways:

Over the past two years, gasoline output at Sinopec and CNPC/PetroChina has surged relative to diesel fuel, reaching a new high of 0.71 barrels of gasoline produced […]

23 October 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) # 81: “Physician, Heal Thyself: Modest Expectations in Order for China’s Reforms as Third Plenum Anniversary Approaches”

Andrew S. Erickson and Gabriel B. Collins, “Physician, Heal Thyself: Modest Expectations in Order for China’s Reforms as Third Plenum Anniversary Approaches,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 81 (23 October 2014).

President Xi Jinping’s vigorous promotion of new policy paths is colliding with powerful vested interests. China’s leaders appear to know what economic reforms are needed, but how, […]

18 October 2014

“Not an Idea We Have to Shun”: Chinese Overseas Basing Requirements in the 21st Century

NDU’s China Center has done it again! This is the very model of taking a controversial emerging topic of great importance and analyzing it systematically to yield insights that are innovative yet completely reasonable. We need less sloganeering and recycling of platitudes, and more research like this!
Christopher D. Yung and Ross Rustici with Scott Devary […]

18 October 2014

Here Comes China’s Great White Fleet

Before I end up quoting everything from this seminal article, you simply must read it in full yourself if you haven’t already done so!
“the PRC has not built the world’s largest coast guard fleet to conduct search and rescue operations or protect the environment…. Nor would it make economic sense to invest billions of dollars… […]