In order to understand China’s approach to the information domain, it is important to examine the evolution of China’s geopolitical strategy. Since the 1980’s, China has adopted a policy of avoiding direct confrontation with the West. This approach is neatly encapsulated by Deng Xiaoping’s injunction…
Part 2 of CIRA China analyst John Chen’s analysis of PLA downsizing assesses the PLA’s ability to carry out a force reduction from 2.3 to 2.0 million (about 11 percent of total PLA strength) by the end of 2017. Can national level or local governments…
Former Chinese military personnel represent a large and important constituency within Chinese society. Large numbers of young, mostly rural men and women join the PLA through China’s conscription system and either leave the PLA or continue their careers after a two-year stint. A smaller number…
On October 25, 2016, the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released a commissioned CIRA report on China’s industrial and military robotics development. The report examines the growth of China’s robotics industries and its development of unmanned industrial, service, and military systems, such…
Ground force officers run China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). About 70 percent of PLA soldiers serve in the PLA Army (PLAA), and ground officers occupy almost all senior positions on the Central Military Commission (CMC) and in China’s new theater commands. The PLA’s…
CIRA head Dr. James Mulvenon spoke at the MIT Center for International Studies’ annual Starr Forum on the topic of “Confronting the China Cyber Challenge.” Dr. Mulvenon’s presentation centered on Chinese technology standards mandates and their impact on device security. To view the full presentation,…
The PROJECT CAMERASHY report, a joint project of CIRA and the cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect, definitively attributes cyber espionage activity associated with the Naikon Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group to a specific unit (Unit 78020) within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). For nearly five years,…
Following on his previous piece examining the various strategic and other motivations behind China’s desire for an increased military presence west of Singapore and laying out China’s basic purpose in building up a military presence and supporting bases along the Maritime Silk Road, this continuation…
The past decade has seen a considerable amount of speculation concerning China’s military intentions in the Indian Ocean (and overseas generally), revolving in large part around the “String of Pearls” concept (namely, a possible network of future Chinese naval and military installations stretching across the…
This paper by CIRA’s Jonathan Ray examines why China developed an enhanced radiation weapon (ERW) but did not deploy it. ERWs, better known as “neutron bombs,” are specialized nuclear weapons with reduced blast effects and enhanced radiation, making them ideal tactical and antipersonnel weapons. Declassified…
