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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.

22 August 2024

CMSI Note 9: “On the PLAN’s ‘Core Operational Capabilities’”

Ryan D. Martinson, “On the PLAN’s ‘Core Operational Capabilities’,” CMSI Note 9 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 22 August 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
If you read one document about China’s Navy today, read the attached China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Note #9. CMSI Note #9 is also posted to the CMSI […]

22 August 2024

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Type 23 Military Ribbons

Edward Francis, Jennifer Chang, and Ken Allen, The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Type 23 Military Ribbons: Turning Chicken Ribs into Chicken Drumsticks (Vienna, VA: Exovera, 15 August 2024).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED COPY.
This report analyzes the PLA’s new “Type 23” military ribbon system, implemented in January, 2023. This comprehensive study examines how the revamped system […]

15 August 2024

Coercive Annexation of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China Would Unleash Globally Destructive Consequences, Rice Baker Institute Report Says

RICE UNIVERSITY
News and Media Relations
Office of Public Affairs

Avery Ruxer Franklin – Aug. 15, 2024
POSTED IN: RICE NEWS > Current News > 2024

Coercive annexation of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China would unleash globally destructive consequences, Rice Baker Institute report says

A new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy argues that an annexation […]

15 August 2024

CMSI Translation #5: “Strengthen National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force Construction”

Yu Yunxian and Zhang Pengxuan, “Strengthen National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force Construction,” CMSI Translation 5 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 14 August 2024).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED COPY.

From CMSI Director CAPT Christopher H. Sharman, USN (Ret.):
China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Friends and Colleagues –
The authors of this article work […]

14 August 2024

PRESS RELEASE—Dr. Andrew Erickson Awarded Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal

“PRESS RELEASE—Dr. Andrew Erickson Awarded Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal,” Jamestown Foundation, 13 August 2024.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED PDF.

August 13, 2024 04:20 PM Age: 13 hours

Naval War College President Rear Admiral Peter A. Garvin Presents the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal to Professor Andrew S. Erickson, July 29, 2024

Frequent China Brief contributor and […]

13 August 2024

CMSI Note 8: “Recent Changes in the PLA Navy’s Gulf of Aden Deployment Pattern”

See matrix appended below detailing all 46 Task Force deployments to date!

Dennis J. Blasko, “Recent Changes in the PLA Navy’s Gulf of Aden Deployment Pattern,” CMSI Note 8 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 13 August 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) may be changing its operational deployment patterns […]

12 August 2024

China Maritime Report #40: “Onboard Political Control—The Ship Political Commissar in Chinese Merchant Shipping”

Conor M. Kennedy, Onboard Political Control—The Ship Political Commissar in Chinese Merchant Shipping, China Maritime Report 40 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, August 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Maritime Watchers: The tentacles of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extend well beyond China’s borders!
If you work within the shipping industry, at ports, […]

06 August 2024

Growing Chinese Threat Makes Taiwan World’s Most Dangerous Flashpoint, Defense Analysts Warn

Growing Chinese Threat Makes Taiwan World’s Most Dangerous Flashpoint, Defense Analysts Warn
Stronger U.S. deterrence urged; for key ally, ‘situation could scarcely more urgent’
By Bill Gertz – The Washington Times

The growing threat of a Chinese military attack makes Taiwan one of the most dangerous global flash points for years to come, according to a think tank report.
The report details military […]

06 August 2024

CMSI Note 7: “PLA Navy Reserve: Out of the Shadows and into the Forefront?”

Tiffany A. Tat, “PLA Navy Reserve: Out of the Shadows and into the Forefront?” CMSI Note 7 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 5 August 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Friends and Colleagues –
A few days ago, the PLA celebrated “PLA Day” – a military holiday commemorating the […]

02 August 2024

Geography Matters, Time Collides: Mapping China’s Maritime Strategic Space under Xi

Honored to contribute to Nadège Rolland’s insightful National Bureau of Asian Research Strategic Space series!
Grateful to Andrew Rhodes for permission to use three of his world-class maps! Click here to see his other cartographic creations, as well as his publications. I’ve made a curated compilation of some of his greatest hits here.
What are China’s military […]

01 August 2024

Annexation of Taiwan: A Defeat From Which the US and Its Allies Could Not Retreat

Given the consequences for American interests, Taiwan’s fall would be a catastrophic defeat from which America could neither fully retreat nor readily recover. In this new report, we explain the stakes, the urgency, and what to do now. Come for the bulletized Executive Summary, stay for the 168 pages of analysis, including 5 appendices—all backed […]

16 July 2024

CMSI Note 6: “Sharpening the Sword: Chinese Navy Aircraft Carrier Battle Group Defense Zones”

Daniel Clayton Rice, “Sharpening the Sword: Chinese Navy Aircraft Carrier Battle Group Defense Zones,” CMSI Note 6 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 16 July 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Friends and Colleagues –
CMSI is pleased to provide you with CMSI Note #6. This CMSI Note details Chinese Central Television-7 (the CCTV Defense and Military […]

15 July 2024

Dean, Director, Scholar, Lawyer, Naval Flight Officer: The Peter Dutton Bookshelf

A national treasure here in Newport! For twenty-three years, Dr. Peter Alan Dutton has made superlative leadership, scholarship, teaching, and other academic and policy contributions at the Naval War College.

For over two decades, the NWC professor (2004–) and former China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) director (2011–19) and Interim Dean of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies […]

02 July 2024

“Modern Chinese Maritime Forces”—1 July 2024 ed.—Order of Battle for World’s Largest Navy, Coast Guard & Maritime Militia by Ship #s

As we steam past mid-2024, China under Xi is steaming full speed ahead, particularly at sea. Navigate today’s troubled Indo-Pacific waters by consulting the latest version of Modern Chinese Maritime Forces—just released! This most recent iteration of the second edition includes sections for PLA Army (pp. 63–75) and PLA Air Force (pp. 76–78) watercraft; the […]

02 July 2024

“Personnel of the People’s Liberation Army”—Read Ken Allen’s Testimony Accompanying USCC-BluePath Labs Report

Legendary China military analyst Ken Allen provided the following written testimony for USCC to accompany the Commission’s release of his coauthored BluePath Labs report, Personnel of the People’s Liberation Army. It is published, with permission, for the first time here. Click here to download a cached PDF.

Kenneth W. Allen
Independent Consultant, China Military Analyst
Written testimony for […]

01 July 2024

China Maritime Report #39: “A Hundred Men Wielding One Gun—Life, Duty & Cultural Practices Aboard PLAN Submarines”

Conor M. Kennedy, A Hundred Men Wielding One Gun—Life, Duty & Cultural Practices Aboard PLAN Submarines, China Maritime Report 39 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, June 2024).

From CMSI Director Christopher Sharman:
China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) Friends and Colleagues –
This report dives deep into Chinese Navy submarine culture – known as “Dragon Palace Culture.” […]

17 June 2024

Honored to Speak at 20th Aspen Ideas Festival!

“U.S. and China: Edging Toward the Brink?”
Panel on Monday, June 24, 2024 (10:20am – 11:50am)

Doerr-Hosier Center, McNulty Room, Aspen Institute, Aspen, Colorado

Click here for the Aspen Ideas Festival agenda.

Register to attend here.

Niall Ferguson, the celebrated historian who predicted Cold War II in 2018, has assembled the sharpest minds from both sides of the Bamboo Curtain […]

10 June 2024

CMSI Translation #4: “Charging into Battle—A Deeply Entwined Network: A Profile of Wang Chengfei, Director of a Research Office at the Naval Research Academy”

Wang Kun, Ye Zhong, and Zhou Huaiping, “Charging into Battle—A Deeply Entwined Network: A Profile of Wang Chengfei, Director of a Research Office at the Naval Research Academy,” CMSI Translation 4 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, 10 June 2024).

Wang Chengfei, Director of a research office and senior engineer at the Naval […]

10 June 2024

The China Maritime Militia Bookshelf: Latest Wikipedia Entries, U.S. Gov’t Docs, SECNAV Guidance, Official Video—& More!

Andrew S. Erickson, “Tracking China’s ‘Little Blue Men’—A Comprehensive Maritime Militia Compendium,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 10 June 2024.

American and Allied knowledge of the PRC’s Third Sea Force has come a long way since my outstanding Naval War College colleague Professor Conor Kennedy and I began our focused research following his arrival in Newport a […]