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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.

04 March 2014

CMSI ‘Red Book’ #11: “China’s Near Seas Combat Capabilities”

Peter A. Dutton, Andrew S. Erickson, and Ryan D. Martinson, eds., China’s Near Seas Combat Capabilities, Naval War College China Maritime Study 11 (February 2014).

This edited volume explores China’s claims and capabilities within and around the ‘First Island Chain,’ the so-called ‘Near Seas.’ It assesses the rapidly evolving situations of concern in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and […]

25 February 2014

Forthcoming Naval Institute Press Volume “Rebalancing U.S. Forces: Basing and Forward Presence in the Asia-Pacific” Reviewed in Defense & Foreign Affairs

“Essential Reading: Pacific Overtures: A New US Study Calls Into Question the Viability of Major USN Fleet Elements,” Important New Strategic Literature; 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); Defense & Foreign Affairs Special Analysis 32.18 (25 February 2014): 1-2.
Carnes Lord and Andrew […]

20 February 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #80—“King Coal Reigns: North America’s Shale Gas Boom Will Force China to Continue Relying on Coal”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “King Coal Reigns: North America’s Shale Gas Boom Will Force China to Continue Relying on Coal,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 80 (21 February 2014).
China SignPost™ (洞察中国)–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
Key Points: Unless Chinese industrial consumers use low-cost coal, they will likely not be competitive in the export market with their […]

17 February 2014

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #79—“China Car Sales: New Pockets of Opportunity”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “China Car Sales: New Pockets of Opportunity,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 79 (29 December 2013).
China SignPost™ (洞察中国)–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©

China’s market for new passenger cars is maturing, but the overall outlook for 
car fleet expansion remains bright for at least 5-7 more years.
Even in a pessimistic scenario, Chinese are […]

13 February 2014

Scholars Highlight Sino-Japanese Security Dynamics, Defense Infrastructure in Stanford China Program

“Scholars Highlight Sino-Japanese Security Dynamics, Defense Infrastructure,” Stanford China Program News, 11 February 2014. … Two important seminar series at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center this winter quarter—one examining the future of China under the new leadership of Xi Jinping, and a second looking at the Sino-Japanese rivalry—explore these issues in depth and […]

10 February 2014

It Changed My (Professional) Life: The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ Public Intellectuals Program

Andrew S. Erickson, “It Changed My (Professional) Life: The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ Public Intellectuals Program,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 10 February 2014.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author, and do not represent the policies of any organization with which he is affiliated.
As someone well-placed to observe firsthand the tremendous […]

10 February 2014

Registration Open for Summer Training Workshop on the Relationship Between National Security and Technology in China, 4-10 August 2014

I can’t recommend this great event highly enough—it is an essential experience for anyone who wants to understand critical Chinese military-technological dynamics and trends. It singlehandedly validates the wisdom of establishing the Minerva Program. Be sure to register now while there’s still space available!
2014 Summer Training Workshop on the Relationship Between 
National Security and Technology […]

10 February 2014

NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Evan Medeiros Quoted Extensively on East China Sea ADIZ & Related Issues

“U.S. ‘Could Change Military Posture’ If China Sets up Second ADIZ,” Japan Times, 1 February 2014.
… “We oppose China’s establishment of an ADIZ in other areas, including the South China Sea” where China is involved in territorial rows with Southeast Asian countries, Evan Medeiros, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council, said […]

10 February 2014

Full Text of Assistant Secretary Daniel Russel’s Testimony on “Maritime Disputes in East Asia”

Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, “Maritime Disputes in East Asia,” Testimony Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Washington, DC, 5 February 2014.
Noteworthy excerpts:

“we firmly oppose the use of intimidation, coercion or force to assert a territorial claim.”
East China Sea: “important to lower […]

10 February 2014

Jeffrey Bader: “The U.S. and China’s Nine-Dash Line: Ending the Ambiguity”

Jeffrey A. Bader, “The U.S. and China’s Nine-Dash Line: Ending the Ambiguity,” The Brookings Institution, 6 February 2014.
For the first time, the United States government has come out publicly with an explicit statement that the so-called “nine-dash line,” which the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan assert delineates their claims in the South China […]

09 February 2014

Non-Traditional Maritime Security and U.S.-China Confidence Building Measures: An Opportunity amidst Challenges

安德鲁·埃里克森 [Andrew S. Erickson] and 奥斯丁·斯特兰奇 [Austin M. Strange], “非传统海上安全和美中信心建立措施: 挑战中的机遇” [Non-Traditional Maritime Security and U.S.-China Confidence Building Measures: An Opportunity amidst Challenges], 美国问题研究 [Fudan American Review], 1 (2014): 1–32.          FULL TEXT, NO COVER INFO          PART 1, WITH COVER INFO          PART 2 OF […]

06 February 2014

Research, Development, and Acquisition in China’s Aviation Industry: J-10 and Pterodactyl UAV

Andrew S. Erickson, Hanlu Lu, Kathryn Bryan, and Samuel Septembre, “Research, Development, and Acquisition in China’s Aviation Industry: J-10 and Pterodactyl UAV,” in Kevin Pollpeter, ed., Getting to Innovation: Assessing China’s Defense Research, Development, and Acquisition System 7.8 (La Jolla, CA: University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, January 2014), 62-66.
Thanks in part to a revolution in research, […]

06 February 2014

China’s Nuclear Weapons Program and the Chinese Research, Development, and Acquisition System

Michael S. Chase, Stephanie Lieggi, Andrew S. Erickson, and Brian Lafferty, “China’s Nuclear Weapons Program and the Chinese Research, Development, and Acquisition System,” in Kevin Pollpeter, ed., Getting to Innovation: Assessing China’s Defense Research, Development, and Acquisition System 7.12 (La Jolla, CA: University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, January 2014), 81-85.
Historically, China’s nuclear program developed a significant […]

04 February 2014

Chinese Views and Commentary on the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ECS ADIZ)

This thoughtful piece benefits greatly from Michael Swaine’s rarely-equaled examination of original sources and attention to detail.
To move beyond political sloganeering and achieve truly useful, constructive scholarship and analysis on this important and potentially destabilizing topic, it is necessary to address directly the vital issues that Swaine outlines in a meticulous, measured fashion.
Further […]

01 February 2014

The Chinese Military’s Toughest Opponent: Corruption

Shannon Tiezzi, “The Chinese Military’s Toughest Opponent: Corruption,” The Diplomat, 1 February 2014.
South China Morning Post reported details this week on an official government raid of the home of Lt. Gen. Gu Junshan, one of the highest-ranking PLA officers to ever be investigated for graft. Gu, who used to be the deputy chief of the PLA’s General […]

31 January 2014

Take Heed of China’s Security Commission

Andrew S. Erickson and William McCahill, “Take Heed of China’s Security Commission,” China Real Time Report (中国实时报), Wall Street Journal, 31 January 2014.
China’s complex bureaucracy has presented China-watchers with a new analytical challenge in the form of a National Security Commission, which appears intended to help President Xi Jinping consolidate power and enhance administration but which […]

29 January 2014

Remarks as Delivered by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper on the 2014 Worldwide Threat Assessment & Full Text of Report

Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Statement for the Record
Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community
Provided to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL TEXT REPORT
Download DNI Clapper’s Remarks
From pp. 21-22 of the report:
EAST ASIA
China
Chinese leaders will try to focus primarily on domestic priorities during 2014 while leveraging China’s […]

29 January 2014

USCC Hearing: “China’s Military Modernization and its Implications for the United States”—Thurs. 30 January 2014, 9 AM-3 PM, Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2118 (updated location & agenda)

Witnesses’ bios and written testimony now available.
Hearing on “China’s Military Modernization and its Implications for the United States”
    Thursday, January 30, 2014
     Room 2118, Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515

Hearing Co-Chairs: Senator James M. Talent and Commissioner Katherine C. Tobin, PhD
The hearing will examine the inputs to China’s military modernization, including […]

27 January 2014

U.S. Navy Sees Chinese HGV as Part of Wider Threat

Bradley Perrett, Bill Sweetman, and Michael Fabey, “U.S. Navy Sees Chinese HGV as Part of Wider Threat,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 27 January 2014.
In the view of the U.S. Navy, the Mach 10 test of a hypersonic glide vehicle that China conducted on Jan. 9 reflects its predictions of future warfare. If and when […]