Professional China-Watcher Article Of The Day: Barriers, Springboards and Benchmarks: China Conceptualizes the Pacific ‘Island Chains’

China-Defense.com proudly presents Andrew S. Erickson and Joel Wuthnow's latest China Quarterly article "Barriers, Springboards and Benchmarks: China Conceptualizes the Pacific ‘Island Chains'".  I trust that you will find it as intellectually stimulating as I did.

The entire article, in PDF format, can be downloaded here 
http://www.china-defense.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7380.0;attach=106451

Barriers, Springboards and Benchmarks: China Conceptualizes the Pacific “Island Chains”

Andrew S. Erickson, US Naval War College, Newport, RI

Joel Wuthnow, US National Defense University, Washington, DC

Abstract

US government reports describe Chinese-conceived “island chains” in the Western Pacific as narrow demarcations for Chinese “counter-intervention” operations to defeat US and allied forces in altercations over contested territorial claims. The sparse scholarship available does little to contest this excessively myopic assertion. Yet, further examination reveals meaningful differences that can greatly enhance an understanding of Chinese views of the “island chains” concept, and with it important aspects of China’s efforts to develop as a maritime power. Long before China had a navy or naval strategists worthy of the name, the concept had originated and been developed for decades by previous great powers vying for Asia-Pacific influence. Today, China’s own authoritative interpretations are flexible, nuanced and multifaceted – befitting the multiple and sometimes contradictory factors with which Beijing must contend in managing its meteoric maritime rise. These include the growing importance of sea lane security at increasing distances and levels of operational intensity.

摘要

美 国政府报告把中国设想的西太平洋 “岛链” 概念描述为中国军队为在有关领土争端的 “反干涉”作战中试图打败美国和盟国部队而设立的狭窄的界线。寥寥无几的相关研究对这个过于短视的看法也没有提出不同意见。然而, 进一步的分析却发现此概念有迥然不同的含义。这些含义能大大增强我们对中国为发展成为一个海洋大国所做出的努力的理解。这个概念是在中国有一个现代的海军 或海军战略家之前由其他有影响力的大国为争夺亚太地区的影响力而发展起来的。如今, 中国对此概念的权威解释显示出其灵活性, 微妙性和多面性。这些解释特征恰恰能与北京在管理其海上崛起过程中许多有时是相互矛盾的因素相适应。这些因素包括由于不断增大距离和活动强度所导致的海上 通道安全日益增长的重要性。

Keywords

China; island chain; strategy; military; maritime; navy

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Monday, August 24, 2015

Photos of the day: Fuel stop at Yong Xing Island, South China Sea

With three external fuel tanks, it seems that the JH-7 fighter-bomber has the range to reach out to Yong Xing Island.

Just in case you're wondering, they are from the 32nd Regiment, 11th PLAAF Air Division, Shenyang Military Region.   Shanyang Military is bordered by North Korea.  Perhaps they are vacation, wanting some sun and sand!

Saturday, January 03, 2015

Photos of the day: Yong Xing Island, South China Sea, Vacation spot.

Wifi included.

Photos of the day: A close up photo of China's new ZTQ 105mm light tank

After 4 years of waiting, it is finally here.

Thursday, January 08, 2015

The new Chinese mountain-warfare light tank

While pictures of this new Chinese (ZTQ-??) light tank have been appearing in Chinese internet since Dec 2011 but its turret has not been revealed until now.   Judging from armor protection offered by those extreme sloped glacis plates,  maybe there is a reason to keep its "head" covered all those years.

Monday, January 07, 2013

Photos of the day: New Chinese light tank

Not much is known about this new AFV but it has been spotted en route to the Tibet area on a regular basis.   It is also sporting a 105mm tank gun.

Photos of the day: PLAN Marine anti-terror training pics

Saturday, January 02, 2016

Send In the PLAN Marine

Shortly after the passage of new law authorizing the PLA to conduct counter-terrorism operations overseas, the PLAN marine now heads to Xinjing for some baptism of fire under "desert conditions".    Coincidence?

Chinese marines leave for military training in Xinjiang
Source: XinhuaEditor: Dong Zhaohui
2016-01-02 16:250

GUANGZHOU, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Chinese marines will be deployed in the next few days to a training base in northwest China's Xinjiang to begin their first military exercise of 2016.

As the Chinese military expands its training sites and conditions, the Xinjiang base gives troops a real combat situation under desert conditions.

Previous drills were conducted at a training base in north China's Inner Mongolia, cold regions in northeast China, and in highland jungles.

The drill will improve troops' fighting abilities "in a wider area, a larger space and in a more complicated environment," said a military source.

The soldiers will be transported via a 5,900-kilometer route from southern province of Guangdong to Xinjiang by train, air or truck. Their mobilization, desert combat tactics and coordination will be tested, and they will also carry out a combat exercise with an infantry division of the Lanzhou Military Area Command.

Photos from last year's Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) drill

Sunday, December 27, 2015

New Law Allows PLA to Undertake Counterterror Missions Overseas

China's new counter-terrorism law has made it legal for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to participate in counterterror missions overseas.
The PLA and the country's armed police forces may carry out such operations with the approval from the Central Military Commission, says the law adopted by top legislature on Sunday.
Public security and national security authorities may also send personnel overseas for counter-terrorism missions, with the approval from the State Council and agreements from concerned countries.
The law also stipulates that related departments, authorized by the State Council, may collaborate with overseas governments and international organizations in holding policy dialogues, communicating on intelligence information, enforcing the law and regulating international capitals.
The new law comes at a delicate time for China and for the world at large - terror attacks in Paris, the bombing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt, and the brutal killings of hostages committed by the notorious Islamic State (IS) extremist group are alerting the world about an ever-growing threat of terrorism.
It will provide legal support to the country's counter-terrorism activities as well as collaboration with the international society, said An Weixing, an official with the public security ministry, at Sunday's press conference.

Photos of the day: The second J-20 initial production copy, 2012

According to the Chinese Internet, the initial J-20 production batch composes four copies before commencing to full production. 

Bonus photos of prototype 2017

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Fist production J-20 is here!

The initial operational date for the J-20 is estimated at 2018. Now, with this production copy "2101" emerging out of the thick Chinese smog,  perhaps we should revisit the 2018 date.

PLAN commission of the day: Landing Ship, Tank 916 Tianmushan into the East Sea Fleet

Displacement 5000 Tons and with a maximum speed of 20 knots.

Saturday, August 01, 2015

Two new 072A LST under construction.

Back in May 2014, the PLAN transferred all three (927, 928, and 929) of its Type 072-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) to the China Coast Guard. Now, it appears that they have ordered three new similar sized 072A to make good on those lost.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

China Coast Guard's Type 072-class landing ship.

Not sure how many Coast Guards could boost their own amphibious asset but the China Coast Guard certainly does -- it now commands an old Type072 Landing Ship, Tank from the PLAN and calls it  "Tow 25".

Monday, May 25, 2015

PLAN commission of the day: LST 981 Dabieshan

This Yuting III mod is commissioned as the latest member of the 5th Landing Ship Flotilla, East Sea Fleet. It is the second PLAN LST to bear the name "Dabieshan", the first Dabieshan, a Shan class (ex USN LST) currently serving as a museum ship in Shandong. 

It is interesting to note that the PLAN is assigning all three of her 071 LPDs to the 6th Landing Ship Flotilla, South Sea Fleet, while the "Taiwan facing" 5th Landing Ship Flotilla soldiering on with smaller LSTs.  I suppose Taiwan is closer to the Chinese mainland then some of those South China Sea islands.   

Old Shan Class Dabieshan

Monday, March 02, 2015

Time to check in with our friends at Wuhan's Wuchang Shipyard.

First of all,  another Yuting III-class class LST under construction.  Consider the 3 Yukan-class class LSTs already have 30 years of service under their belts,  this new boat could be a Yukan replacement.  Otherwise, one would expect a much bigger hull or a more modern design.