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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 2011

Asia Rising and the Maritime Decline of the West: A Review of the Issues

This study is as relevant today as when it was published. Many who have not done so already would benefit from reading this thought-provoking piece.
Geoffrey Till, “Asia Rising and the Maritime Decline of the West: A Review of the Issues,” RSIS Working Paper No. 205, 29 July 2010.
The notion that Asia is rising and is […]

08 December 2011

China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Profiled in Naval War College President’s Forum

Rear Admiral John N. Christenson, U.S. Navy, President, Naval War College, “Promoting Global Maritime Partnerships,” President’s Forum, Naval War College Review, 65.1 (Winter 2012): 12.
China Maritime Studies Institute. The maritime relationship between the United States and China will be particularly critical to the world’s maritime security in the twenty-first century. China’s rapidly expanding overseas commerce […]

08 December 2011

PLAN Aircraft Carrier Article Highlighted by Congressman J. Randy Forbes

Congressman J. Randy Forbes, 4th District of Virginia, “China’s aircraft carrier ‘is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning,’” 8 December 2011.
U.S. Naval War College professor Andrew Erickson released a new analysis of China’s new aircraft carrier. In the report, he states, “This is not the beginning of the […]

06 December 2011

Defense Tech Evaluates Naval War College Review Article on Chinese Carrier Development

“What Will China’s Carrier Be Used For?” Defense Tech, 6 December 2011.
U.S. Naval War College professor Andrew Erickson has just come out with another interesting analysis of China’s new aircraft carrier, noting that the ship, equipped with advanced radars and defensive weapons doesn’t sound remotely like a true training carrier. Instead, it will likely serve […]

06 December 2011

“Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles” Evaluated Highly in Ausmarine

 Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, eds., Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2011); review in Ausmarine (November 2011): 36.
From Baird Maritime
Behind all the belligerent nonsense that appears in the general media it is reassuring to learn that there is genuine Sino-American co-operation in certain aspects of defence.
This enormously […]

06 December 2011

China Defense Blog Praises “Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications”

Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications
With the ex-VARYAG off to its second sea trial, it is perfect timing for the US Naval War College Review to publish Andrew Erickson, Abraham Denmark, and Gabriel Collins’s latest article “Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications” as its lead article.
The paper is fact […]

05 December 2011

“Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications”–Lead Article in Winter 2012 Naval War College Review

Andrew S. Erickson, Abraham M. Denmark, and Gabriel Collins, “Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications,” Naval War College Review, 65.1 (Winter 2012): 14–54.

Chinese version: Andrew S. Erickson, Abraham Denmark and Gabriel Collins, “China’s Trials at Sea: The ‘Starter Carrier’ and the Future of Chinese Naval Power” (中国航母海试: “起步航母” 与中国海上力量的未来), China International Strategy Review […]

28 November 2011

Space, China’s Tactical Frontier

Everyone interested in the military implications of Chinese space development should read this nuanced, well-researched analysis.
Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin, “Space, China’s Tactical Frontier,” Journal of Strategic Studies, 34.5 (October 2011): 733-61.
ABSTRACT In recent years, China has made stunning progress in its satellite reconnaissance capabilities. Starting from almost no capacity for live surveillance ten years […]

27 November 2011

3 CMSI Volumes Featured on Navy Professional Reading Program Core List

Donna Miles, “Reading Lists Aim to Promote Personal, Professional Growth,” American Forces Press Service, 23 November 2011.
WASHINGTON – Legend has it that Alexander the Great slept with a copy of The Iliad, Homer’s epic tale set during the Trojan War, under his pillow.
Almost 2,500 years later, professional reading remains an important part of the military […]

22 November 2011

Chinese Lessons from Other Peoples’ Wars

Andrew Scobell, David Lai, and Roy Kamphausen, eds., Chinese Lessons from Other Peoples’ Wars (Carlisle, PA: U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, 2011).
The importance of China stems not only from its current international role and its influence on the Asia-Pacific region in particular, but also because China’s impact on global developments will likely continue […]

21 November 2011

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #50–New Access for U.S. Forces in Australia: Is it driven by China?

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “New Access for U.S. Forces in Australia: Is it driven by China?” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 50 (14 November 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
What is happening?
A substantial enhancement in US-Australia military ties first referred to approximately one year ago now appears to be materializing.  A range of media outlets report that President […]

07 November 2011

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #49: “Electric Bikes are China’s Real Electric Vehicle Story”

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Electric Bikes are China’s Real Electric Vehicle Story,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 49 (7 November 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
Along with its booming market for petroleum-fueled autos, China is also a global leader in promoting greater use of electric and alternative fuel vehicles. Automakers are responding to the government’s ambitious objective to […]

01 November 2011

Interview with Andrew Erickson by David Axe in The Diplomat “A New Space Race?”

David Axe, interview with Andrew Erickson, “A New Space Race?” The Diplomat, 1 November 2011.
Andrew Erickson, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College, is known for his views on Chinese aerospace and naval capabilities. His latest edited volume is entitled: ‘Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles.’
Erickson holds a distinct viewpoint concerning tensions between […]

28 October 2011

China’s Energy Security: The Perspective of Energy Users

Malavika Jain Bambawale and Benjamin K. Sovacool, “China’s Energy Security: The Perspective of Energy Users,” Applied Energy, 88.5 (May 2011): 1949-56.
Abstract
The article explores the energy security concerns faced by China from the point of view of energy users working in government, university, civil society and business sectors. The authors first derive a set of seven […]

28 October 2011

China’s Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent in 2020: Four Alternative Futures for China’s SSBN Fleet

Thomas M. Skypek, “China’s Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent in 2020: Four Alternative Futures for China’s SSBN Fleet,” in A Collection of Papers from the 2010 Nuclear Scholars Initiative (Washington, DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2010).
This article addresses three major analytical questions: first, what are four alternative force structures for China’s nuclear ballistic missile submarine […]

28 October 2011

Somali Piracy: Political Lessons for the Navy

Martin N. Murphy, “Somali Piracy: Political Lessons for the Navy,” American Foreign Policy Interests, 33.1 (2011): 17-25.
This article argues that the navies operating to suppress piracy off Somalia are operating in what is effectively a policy vacuum. So long as that vacuum persists, piracy may be restricted but not eliminated. The financial cost of the […]

28 October 2011

Survivability of China’s Sea-Based Nuclear Forces

Wu Riqiang, “Survivability of China’s Sea-Based Nuclear Forces,” Science & Global Security, 19.2 (2011): 91-120.
The survivability of China’s ballistic missile submarines and submarine-launched ballistic missiles is examined. First, the Type 094 ballistic missile submarine is noisy and vulnerable even in shallow waters. This suggests the urgency for China to improve the quietness of the Type […]

28 October 2011

The Gathering Storm: China’s Challenge to US Power in Asia

John J. Mearsheimer, “The Gathering Storm: China’s Challenge to US Power in Asia,” The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 3 (2010): 381–96.
The United States has been the most powerful state on the planet for many decades and has deployed robust military forces in the Asia-Pacific region since the early years of the Second World War. […]

28 October 2011

Are Sri Lanka’s Relations with China Deepening? An Analysis of Economic, Military, and Diplomatic Data

Nilanthi Samaranayake, “Are Sri Lanka’s Relations with China Deepening? An Analysis of Economic, Military, and Diplomatic Data,” Asian Security, 7.2 (2011): 119-46.
During the past few years, Sri Lanka appears to have forged closer relations with China. Sri Lanka welcomed Chinese investment in building a port in Hambantota, arms from China for use in its civil […]