What Does Beijing Want from the Pacific Islands?
China's recent activities in Oceania highlight a formidable two-pronged strategy of diplomatic and economic engagement that Washington and its allies and partners will have to vigorously compete against to maintain their preeminence in the Pacific.
Dec 9, 2019 ChinaFile
Maintaining the U.S. Edge in the Freely Associated States
In the geo-strategically vital region of the Freely Associated States (FAS), China is increasingly competing with the United States for influence. The United States and its allies and partners will need to engage not only with economic aid, but also with other issues including health, economic development, natural disasters, climate change and illegal fishing to sustain a strong partnership with the FAS.
Sep 3, 2019 East Asia Forum
Navigating Asia's Stormy Seas: Regional Perspectives on U.S.-China Competition
Many of the key advantages the United States enjoys in a strategic competition with China depend on strong relationships with U.S. allies and partners. Beijing will certainly do its utmost to take advantage of any opportunities presented by concerns about the strength and sustainability of the U.S. role in the region.
Aug 7, 2018 The Diplomat
China Is Tightening the Screws on Taiwan. Will Trump Act and Risk Losing Beijing?
The United States should consider ways to strengthen its engagement with Taiwan on defense and security issues that go beyond arms sales. Washington will need to do more to help Taiwan deal with other forms of Chinese pressure as well.
Feb 22, 2018 The Cipher Brief
Xi's Consolidation of Power at the 19th Party Congress: Implications for PLA Aerospace Forces
Xi Jinping has emerged from the 19th Party Congress stronger than at least his past two predecessors. He solidified his grip on power and revealed significant changes to the Central Military Commission, which oversees the People's Liberation Army.
Dec 11, 2017 Jamestown Foundation's China Brief
Enhancing China's Status as a Great Power
China is investing heavily in its military modernization program as it aims to extend its power in the region as well as globally. How will China's growing ability to project power affect U.S. regional goals?
Aug 1, 2017 The Cipher Brief
Taiwan's 2017 Quadrennial Defense Review in Context
Taiwan's 2017 Quadrennial Defense Review is consistent with past reviews on defense strategy, reform of the military service system, and defense budget constraints. It also emphasizes the importance to President Tsai of Taiwan's domestic defense industry and shows uncertainty about U.S. Asia policy.
Jun 14, 2017 Global Taiwan Brief
Walking Away from One-China Policy Imperils Taiwan
The U.S. One-China policy has helped keep the peace for decades. Abandoning it now could result in stiffer Chinese resolve. Such a strategy may even backfire by triggering an otherwise avoidable crisis.
Dec 22, 2016 The National Interest
China's Military Reorganization Aims to Tighten Party Control and Strengthen the PLA's Warfighting Capabilities
Xi Jinping's reforms could result in a leaner, more combat-effective PLA that presents a more potent challenge to China's neighbors and to U.S. interests. But even successful reforms will not guarantee victory on the battlefield, and any hypothetical conflict involving the U.S. would carry tremendous risks.
Sep 6, 2016 ChinaFile
Xi's Purge of the Military Prepares the Chinese Army for Confrontation
Xi Jinping is relying on an unprecedented anti-corruption campaign, echoing Mao Zedong's dictum that “the party commands the gun,” and implementing a sweeping reorganization of the PLA to ensure his personal dominance over the military and to strengthen its ability to deter or win future wars.
Apr 21, 2016 Newsweek
Xi in Command: Downsizing and Reorganizing the People's Liberation Army
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently announced that China would reduce the number of troops in its army by 300,000. But that is only a first step in a more ambitious reform and reorganization plan.
Sep 14, 2015 Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS
China's Military Modernization: Eric Heginbotham and Michael Chase in Conversation
Two RAND experts discuss their recent assessments of Chinese military modernization and its implications for U.S. interests in Asia.
Sep 14, 2015 The RAND Blog
China's Military Parade Highlights Its New Strategic Capabilities
China's elaborate military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II showcased some of the People's Liberation Army's newest high-tech weapons.
Sep 3, 2015 U.S. News & World Report
China's Airfield Construction at Fiery Cross Reef in Context: Catch-Up or Coercion?
Even if China really sees itself as undertaking legitimate activities to protect its rightful interests, it is not surprising that its rival claimants, as well as the United States and other countries in the region, see Beijing's island building activities as efforts to improve China's abilities to bully its neighbors.
Aug 11, 2015 Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS
China's Incomplete Military Transformation
Although the People's Liberation Army has made impressive progress over the past 20 years, it still suffers from a number of potentially serious problems. Understanding its weaknesses — particularly what PLA officers themselves see as the most important shortcomings — is just as critical as studying its strengths.
Mar 18, 2015 China Policy Institute Blog
A Thaw in Asia
Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this week raised hope for the near term that the leaders of both countries can ease tensions between Asia's two largest economies.
Nov 17, 2014 U.S. News & World Report
Engagement and Assurance: Debating the U.S.-Chinese Relationship
The risks of strategic rivalry with China deserve serious attention. But the best way to avoid the destabilizing effects of military competition is sustained U.S. engagement with China and the region -- precisely what U.S. policy has been seeking to achieve.
Nov 6, 2014 The National Interest
