By Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes
From Baird Maritime:
A remarkably objective and balanced analysis of the recent rapid build-up of Chinese naval power.
As the authors point out, China's naval planners have avidly studied American naval history and doctrine. They have been particularly inspired by the work of Alfred Mahan, who had so much influence on the U.S. Navy's World War II successes.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Americans have been well flattered. Obviously, though, this Chinese naval expansion has caused considerable concern among senior U.S. Navy personnel. Indeed, Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, has expressed that concern both publicly and forcefully.
The authors, however, explain that Chinese intentions are not necessarily aggressive. Your reviewer has discussed the subject with some recently retired Chinese senior officers who indicated that much of the development was inspired by Japan's similar build up in the 1980s and 90s. Apart from close U.S. allies such as Japan, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore, most other Asian nations still appear quite sanguine about the Chinese development.
This book helps to put all such matters in perspective.
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