Hu Bo, (Trans. Zhang Yanpei; Ed. Geoffrey Till) Chinese Maritime Power in the 21st Century; Strategic Planning, Policy and Predictions (Routledge: London and New York, 2019) 274 p. $124.00 hardcover; $46.36 e-book

Excerpt

This is a translation of China’s Maritime Power in 2049 originally published in 2016 by the Development Research Centre of the State Council. Hu covers the principles, policies and theatres of China’s current and future projected maritime power. The ‘First and Second Island Chain’ strategic policy is ever-present, while ‘stepping out’ to the ‘Two-ocean strategy’ remains the guiding macropolicy, with Hu advising a Pacific carrier group to operate beyond the First Island Chain, and a second carrier group to operate around the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Near seas policies remain centred on the equation of: ‘stabilise the north’ (Yellow Sea), ‘harmonise the south’ (South China Sea), and ‘contest the east’ (East China Sea). Less well-studied policies include development of satellite communications priorities in the South America cone and Namibia upon which to open power projection capacity in the South Atlantic; the ‘Changjitu’ Changchun to Tumen logistics and supply corridor which could open a permanent presence in the Sea of Japan; and the presumption of future permanent supply and communications bases in various South Pacific island states. …