For months Beijing boycotted military discussions, raising fears at the Pentagon that a miscommunication could lead to conflict.
By Michael Marrow“China’s actions point to a ratcheting up of pressure in support of spurious claims over the Nine-Dash Line,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.
By Colin Clark“Right now, of course, the secretary of defense does not have a counterpart; there is no [Chinese] minister of defense. We’re going to have to probably wait on that one,” NSC official Sarah Beran said.
By Colin ClarkDetails are scant for now, but experts tell Breaking Defense that any AI agreement between China and the US could involve a pledge not to use AI in nuclear systems.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.“We know about the disappearances within the PLA and elsewhere. But no one really knows why,” said Ian Chong, associate professor at the National University of Singapore.
By Colin ClarkThe new map sparked sharp reactions from India, Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. The new document was released one week before the G-20 summit in India. President Xi Jinping was to attend but news reports now indicate he will not.
By Colin Clark“This is a very dangerous trend in terms of our ability as major powers to truly work out our issues,” Rear Adm. Michael Studeman said of the lack of communications.
By Justin Katz“There are dangers in how totalitarian states operate,” said Rear Adm. Mike Studeman, commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence. “The truth doesn’t always flow very quickly in the dictatorships, and if it’s bad news, sometimes that gets adulterated on the way up to [the top]. We see some of that happening.”
By Justin KatzExperts don’t foresee huge defense deals between Riyadh and Beijing, but drones are another story.
By Agnes HelouChina analyst Dean Cheng breaks down the key military aspects of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s statements at the recent Party Congress.
By Dean ChengPelosi’s visit is happening at a sensitive time for Xi. The party leadership is meeting this week at a resort in advance of the party congress due to be held this fall. Xi has made “reunification” with the island state a keystone of his rule.
By Colin Clark and James Kitfield
2023 will mark the second year in a row that China’s defense budget is slated to increase at a faster rate than the general economy, a potentially worrisome trend for Beijing, writes analyst Dean Cheng.
By Dean Cheng