Publication

This paper examines China's maritime strategy and argues that the country is developing the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) capabilities in order to expand its operational reach to the northwest Pacific and Indian oceans. More specifically, the author 1) examines the geography, history, and strategic focus of China's active maritime defense policy; 2) discusses China's New Historic Mission policy to adapt PLAN so that its areas of operations will include the 'far seas'; 3) looks at the evolution of PLAN operations and exercises since 2004; and 4) identifies several factors that would indicate that China intends to incorporate the 'far seas' in its maritime defense strategy.