- The Strategist - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au -
China’s maritime dilemmas
Posted By Benjamin Schreer on August 6, 2013 @ 06:00
The strategy behind China’s emerging naval capability is subject to considerable debate. Most of the commentary concentrates on the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) capability development. Some commentators argue that the PLAN has shifted its focus towards developing a ‘blue water navy’ to contest America’s maritime predominance in the Western Pacific. But, as David McDonough’s recent post on The Strategist points out, the PLAN also continues to invest in defensive ‘anti-access/area-denial’ (A2/AD) for operations in its ‘ First Island Chain’. The common theme of these assessments is that China’s growing naval power should have us worrying.
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URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-maritime-dilemmas/
[1] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/US_Navy_071116-N-6106R-369_American_and_Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Forces_JMSDF_ships_transit_in_formation_at_the_end_of_ANNUALEX_19G_the_maritime_component_of_the_U.S.-Japan_exercise_Keen_Sword_08.jpg
[2] Some commentators argue: http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/07/29/Chinas-worrying-blue-water-ambitions.aspx
[3] David McDonough’s recent post: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-naval-strategy-from-sea-denial-to-sea-control/
[4] importance of Taiwan in US Pacific strategy: http://csis.org/files/publication/twq11autumntuckerglaser.pdf
[5] elsewhere: http://www.iiss.org/en/publications/survival/sections/2013-94b0/survival--global-politics-and-strategy-june-july-2013-532b/55-3-05-lee-and-schreer-ff87
[6] US naval strategists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLrO1GI8ZIY&list=PLWX4R7nG6a8moZ0bIUtkBBIqaOkbr85zb&index=9
[7] nine-dashed line: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/philippines-takes-chinas-dashes-to-un/
[8] reengaged US military: http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/07/29/us_deploying_jets_around_asia_to_keep_china_surrounded
[9] Malacca Dilemma: http://www.chinesedefence.com/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/4564-china-malacca-dilemma.html
[10] creation of a unified coast guard agency: http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/14263
[11] Tokyo announced it would provide Manila with 10 coast guard patrol boats: http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130727p2g00m0dm040000c.html
[12] China as a continental power: http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/paradox-chinas-naval-strategy
[13] Wikimedia Commons: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_071116-N-6106R-369_American_and_Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Forces_(JMSDF)_ships_transit_in_formation_at_the_end_of_ANNUALEX_19G,_the_maritime_component_of_the_U.S.-Japan_exercise_Keen_Sword_08.jpgSelf-Defense