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.
Andrew S. Erickson, “Adversaries and Planning Assumptions: China’s Navy and the Post-Cold War World,” in Evan Wilson and Paul Kennedy, eds., Planning for War at Sea: 400 Years of Great Power Competition (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2025), 317–39.
This chapter explains how and why the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) […]
This event is organized by the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University and co-sponsored by the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University and the Korea Institute, Harvard University.
Harvard University, CGIS South S020, Belfer Case Study Room
1730 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Monday, March 10 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Panel Discussion — Three Years In, Prospects […]
Honored to publish lead book review in new double issue of Naval War College Review (combined Summer and Autumn 2024 edition) marking the 140th anniversary of the Naval War College’s founding!
Andrew S. Erickson, “War and Peace—Past and Future”; review of Xiaobing Li, China’s New Navy: The Evolution of PLAN from the People’s Revolution to a […]
Honored to see our new coedited volume “Chinese Amphibious Warfare” added to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program’s 2025 Reading List!
Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion by Andrew S. Erickson, et al.
This study explores key questions concerning Beijing’s determined pursuit of the Chinese Communist Party’s ultimate political and strategic prize: […]
Ryan D. Martinson, “War without Surprises—Education for Command in the People’s Liberation Army Navy,” Naval War College Review 77.3 (Summer/Autumn 2024): 14–27.
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Jonathan D. Caverley Interim Editor, Naval War College Press, “From the Editors,” Naval War College Review 77.3 (Summer/Autumn 2024): 4.
“Fittingly for an issue of the Review celebrating the past and […]
Ian Easton, “Finally, A PLA Navy Missile Gap?” CMSI Note 12 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 20 February 2025).
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From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
CMSI is pleased to provide you with our latest CMSI Note.
This short CMSI Note is written about a special report published this month in […]
Read the latest and greatest from my brilliant my Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) colleague Prof. Ryan Martinson! Review his unique insights on PLA Navy personnel issues as we analyze the fall of Admiral Miao Hua (苗华) and Vice Admiral Li Pengcheng (李鹏程) and watch for more shoes to drop…
For analysis of Chinese […]
Jonathan Robinson, The PLA Navy’s Hospital Ship Fleet: Concerns, Developments, and Future Prospects, China Maritime Report 45 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 10 February 2025).
From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
What do you know about the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) hospital ship fleet? What ships are a part of the PRC’s hospital ship […]
Liu Xue and Li Mingyu, “Manual for Developing Ship Captains,” CMSI Translation 14 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 6 February 2025).
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From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
How much do you know about the training, career path, and development of People’s Liberation Army Navy […]
Christopher H. Sharman and Andrew S. Erickson, Dirty But Preparing to Fight: VADM Li Pengcheng’s Downfall Amid Increasing PLAN Readiness, China Maritime Report 44 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 24 January 2025).
From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
The drumbeat of China’s Navy leaders purged for corruption is beating loudly. Admiral Miao Hua (苗华) […]
PLA Navy Equipment Department and Support Department: History and Organizational Background
Kenneth W. Allen[1]
Kenneth W. Allen, “PLA Navy Equipment Department and Support Department: History and Organizational Background,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 22 January 2025.
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New reference from China military organization studies pioneer Ken Allen!
Equipment Departments are central to […]
Dr. Sarah Kirchberger and CAPT Christopher P. Carlson, USN (Ret.), “Neither Fish Nor Fowl: China’s Development of a Nuclear Battery AIP Submarine,” Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC), 22 January 2025.
On September 27, 2024, news broke that a previously unreported new type of Chinese nuclear-powered submarine, dubbed the “Type 041,” had suffered a major mishap […]
2025 Samuel B. Griffith Foundation Reading List
Purpose. To establish a list of recommended readings related to the legacy and scholarship of Brigadier General Samuel B. Griffith II, USMC (ret). This list will be reviewed by the Foundation annually and amended as needed to include key books, publications, and other media associated with Samuel Griffith’s life […]
Cui Yiliang, “Mission Command Is Not The Antidote,” CMSI Translation 13 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 13 January 2025).
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From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
CMSI is pleased to provide you with two short, but important translations that address Chinese perspectives of Command at Sea. These articles […]
Wei Gong, “Strengthen Command Capabilities to Win Future Naval Battles,” CMSI Translation 12 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 13 January 2025).
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From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
CMSI is pleased to provide you with two short, but important translations that address Chinese perspectives of Command at Sea. […]
Jamie Seidel, “Stunning Footage Reveals China’s Secret New Stealth Bomber,” News.com.au, 12 January 2025.
… … “These apparent combat aircraft demonstrators are part of a larger PRC defence modernisation – the post-war era’s most dramatic,” notes Professor Andrew Erickson of the US Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI).
“The scope and scale of China’s military […]
As we steam into the Year of the Snake, China under Xi is steaming full speed ahead, particularly at sea. Start the New Year right and navigate today’s troubled Indo-Pacific waters by consulting the latest version of Modern Chinese Maritime Forces, released today! This most recent iteration of the Second Edition includes sections for PLA […]
Andrew S. Erickson, “The J-36 and Shenyang Stealth Fighters: China’s Great Aerospace Leap,” 19FortyFive, 31 December 2024.
China’s Two New Stealth Fighters: Heralding Defense Industrial Warfare: It’s that time again, when end-of-the-year advancements roll out in the People’s Republic of China…
China’s Two New Stealth Fighters: Heralding Defense Industrial Warfare: It’s that time again, when end-of-the-year advancements roll […]
Ryan D. Martinson, “Missing in the Gray Zone? China’s Maritime Militia Forces Around Taiwan,” The Diplomat, 24 December 2024.
While maritime militia forces are not playing a major role in China’s multi-pronged pressure campaign against Taiwan, they are not completely absent from the battlespace.
From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
China Military Maritime Watchers: What is […]
Chinese Undersea Warfare: Development, Capabilities, Trends
Maritime Gray Zone Operations: Challenges and Countermeasures in the Indo-Pacific
Oxford Bibliography: “The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)”
China’s Climate Cooperation Smokescreen: A Roadmap for Seeing Through the Trap and Countering with Competition
Large-Scale Amphibious Warfare in Chinese Military Strategy
Rebalancing U.S. Forces: Basing and Forward Presence in the Asia-Pacific
China’s Near Seas Combat Capabilities
Chinese Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) Development: Drivers, Trajectories and Strategic Implications
Asia’s Rising Energy and Resource Nationalism: Implications for the United States, China, and the Asia-Pacific Region
Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles
China’s S-Curve Trajectory: Structural Factors Will Likely Slow the Growth of China’s Economy and Comprehensive National Power
China, the United States, and 21st-Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership
China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective
China’s Energy Strategy: The Impact on Bejing’s Maritime Policies
China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force
Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy 'Assassin’s Mace' Capability
China’s Nuclear Force Modernization
