National Security

Understanding Chinese Deterrence Signaling

As China leverages growing military capabilities and the availability of new communication channels, it is also changing its approach to deterrence signaling. New RAND research provides an analytic framework to interpret Chinese deterrence signaling and explores seven case studies of recent Chinese deterrence behavior.

The authors conclude that Beijing is employing military deterrence signaling more frequently and in bolder ways to achieve its grander objectives. This will require expertise from analysts and policymakers to distinguish the signal from the noise and respond to what matters to better manage future crises.
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