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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.

10 December 2010

Places and Bases: The Chinese Navy’s Emerging Support Network in the Indian Ocean

Daniel J. Kostecka, “Places and Bases: The Chinese Navy’s Emerging Support Network in the Indian Ocean,” Naval War College Review, Vol. 64, No. 1 (Winter 2011), pp. 59-78.
Due to self-imposed policy, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) does not base military forces in foreign countries, and PRC officials have used this as evidence of China’s […]

09 December 2010

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #9: U.S. Pecan Growers Crack into Chinese Market

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “U.S. Pecan Growers Crack into Chinese Market,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 9 (9 December 2010).
Chinese pecan buyers are accumulating supplies as they prepare for the next Chinese New Year in early 2011, a peak nut consumption period in China. Rising incomes and increased demand for healthy foods are driving […]

09 December 2010

“Chinese Mine Warfare” Study Cited in Galrahn’s Information Dissemination Blog re Possible North Korean Nuclear Sea Mine Development

Galrahn, “Report: North Korea Developing Nuclear Sea Mines,” Information Dissemination, 9 December 2010.

The English language version comes courtesy of Bill Gertz in Inside the Ring. It is worth reading in full, but this is how it begins.
U.S. intelligence agencies are working to track down an alarming report from inside North Korea revealing that the […]

09 December 2010

Ridgway Center Hosts Rear Admiral James P. Wisecup

“Ridgway Center Hosts Rear Admiral James P. Wisecup,” University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, 9 December 2010.
The Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies hosted Rear Admiral James P. Wisecup for an update on the work of the U.S. Naval War College. Admiral Wisecup is the 52nd president of the […]

05 December 2010

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma: China’s ASBM Program “Matter of Concern”

“China’s ASBM Programme Matter of Concern: Navy Chief,” Outlook India, 2 December 2010.
Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of the Indian Navy, reportedly stated the following in response to specific questions regarding Chinese development of an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM): “As far as a weapon like ASBM is concerned, if it is operationally fielded, certainly it is […]

05 December 2010

CDR Salamander, “A Very Barney Christmas: 2010” Book List

CDR Salamander, “A Very Barney Christmas: 2010,” 4 December 2010.
“Yes my friends, it is that time of year – Christmas. As I have been saying for over half a decade, there is no finer gift you can give than that of books. Especially for the military professional, knowledge is essential. Knowledge and perspective can make […]

05 December 2010

James Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara, “China’s Navy: A Turn to Corbett?”

James R. Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara, “China’s Navy: A Turn to Corbett?” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. 136, No. 12 (December 2010).
Chinese navalists have been mixing some Sir Julian Corbett into their Mahanian cocktails lately. That is wise on their part, and something that bears American scrutiny.

Some years ago, as China cast about for […]

01 December 2010

China, the United States, and 21st Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership (CMSI Vol. 4)

Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and Nan Li, eds., China, the United States, and 21st Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2010).
A Proceedings Magazine 2010 Notable Naval Book

Now available on Kindle!

Author of:

Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, “Introduction: In the Same Boat,” ix–xxix.
Andrew S. Erickson, “The Container Security Initiative and U.S.-China Relations,” 59–100.
Andrew S. Erickson, “Prospects […]

30 November 2010

Bernard D. Cole, The Great Wall at Sea, Second Edition: China’s Navy in the Twenty-First Century

Bernard D. Cole, The Great Wall at Sea, Second Edition: China’s Navy in the Twenty-First Century (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2010).
Book Jacket Summary:
In this new edition, Bernard Cole revises his acclaimed study of China’s Navy as it continues to grow in the unfolding twenty-first century while the U.S. Navy is shrinking. The Great Wall […]

29 November 2010

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #8: Playing with Fire? Potential impact of a North Korean threat to South Korean oil refineries

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Playing with Fire? Potential Impact of a North Korean Threat to South Korean Oil Refineries,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 8 (29 November 2010).
North Korea’s recent shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island raises the risk of armed confrontation in the region. If its core demands were not met, North Korea […]

26 November 2010

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #7: Follow the Money: “Rich Lists” Hint at Sectors that May Become Future Wealth Generators

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Follow the Money: ‘Rich Lists’ Hint at Sectors that May Become Future Wealth Generators,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 7 (26 November 2010).
Forbes Magazine recently published “rich lists” of the wealthiest people in China and the US. Analyzing the holdings of the 100 wealthiest people in each country helps give […]

26 November 2010

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #6: Factors Behind China’s Latest Diesel Fuel Shortage

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Factors Behind China’s Latest Diesel Fuel Shortage,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 6 (21 November 2010).
Over the past few weeks, many parts of China have been experiencing diesel fuel shortages. The existence of the shortages has been well-chronicled by many Chinese and foreign media outlets, but there has been much […]

26 November 2010

China SignPost™ (洞察中国) Website Launched. 7 Research Notes Already Available.

A new dedicated website, China SignPost™ 洞察中国 (http://www.chinasignpost.com/), provides complete access to concise analyses regarding China’s domestic development and growing international presence. They are published regularly by Dr. Andrew Erickson and Mr. Gabe Collins. 7 Research Notes are already available, and more will follow soon. Posting of comments on this site is highly encouraged, as […]

26 November 2010

China’s Maritime Relations with South Asia: From Confrontation to Co-operation (Part One)

Y. J. Sithara N. Fernando, China’s Maritime Relations with South Asia: From Confrontation to Co-operation (Part One), Future Analysis Paper, Strategic Directions International, 24 November 2010.
This two-part Strategic Analysis Paper will examine China’s maritime relations with South Asia since it adopted its policy of “opening up to the outside world” in 1978. It identifies the […]

26 November 2010

Hambantota, Chittagong, and the Maldives—Unlikely Pearls for the Chinese Navy

Daniel Kostecka, “Hambantota, Chittagong, and the Maldives—Unlikely Pearls for the Chinese Navy,” Jamestown China Brief, Vol. 10, No. 23 (19 November 2010).
Much of the discussion regarding China’s maritime ambitions in the Indian Ocean has revolved around the so-called “String of Pearls” strategy that Beijing is alleged to be pursuing. As part of this strategic construct […]

10 November 2010

China’s Secret Co-orbital Satellites: The Quiet Surge in Space

Ian Easton, “China’s Secret Co-orbital Satellites: The Quiet Surge in Space,” AsiaEye, 9 November 2010.
The emergence of space as a strategic frontier in the Asia-Pacific has raised concerns that China’s nascent space capabilities could be employed in future military operations. Beijing’s rapid progress in space has been marked by milestones such as manned space flights, […]

03 November 2010

China SignPost™ 洞察中国 #5–Gray Gold: China’s Rare Earth Power Play, Impacts, and Suggested Consumer Responses

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Gray Gold: China’s Rare Earth Power Play, Impacts, and Suggested Consumer Responses,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 5 (3 November 2010).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
***Note: this summary version does not contain graphics, which are available in the PDF edition.***
Tighter export quotas for rare earth elements (REEs) from China and the […]

03 November 2010

Interviewed in Al Jazeera Program on “The Asian Arms Race”

“Empire—The Asian Arms Race,” Al Jazeera English, 30 October 2010.
This is the Asia-focused segment of a larger program that Al Jazeera describes as follows:
The world has entered a new arms race at a time of relative peace, totalling $1.5 trillion, that is $217 for every person on the planet.
Over the last decade, Washington has doubled […]

03 November 2010

Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power by Robert D. Kaplan

Robert D. Kaplan, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power (New York: Random House, 2010).
Promotional Summary from Publisher:
On the world maps common in America, the Indian Ocean all but disappears. The Western Hemisphere lies front and center, while the Indian Ocean region is relegated to the edges, split up along the maps’ […]