Publication

This paper examines the major changes regarding the Chinese navy between the pre-1985 and the post-1985 period. The author illustrates how major conceptual changes have taken place with regard to the functions, warfare planning processes, arms systems and general organization of the naval forces since 1985. The paper explains how the focus of the Chinese navy has shifted away from protecting continental territory through resisting a singular adversary, to defending maritime territory and realms of strategic interest against potentially multiple adversaries, far removed from China's actual shore.