BOOK REVIEW

CHINESE NAVAL STRATEGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE TURN TO MAHAN

By James Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara

(Published by Routledge – Taylor & Francis group, a British multinational

publisher group, Abingdon, United Kingdom, 2008), pages 167

Reviewed by Cdr Sheshavpuri Ramakrishna (L.No -627)

Introduction

1. The book revolves around theories of ‘Alfred Thayer Mahan’ imbibed by

Chinese maritime strategist. Mahan was a US Naval officer and historian, and rose
as an important strategist of the nineteenth century for US.  Mahan’s writing
illustrates, a strong naval presence on the seas is the key factor that enables a
country to win wars and become an influential global power. The concepts of Mahan
are applicable to many navies across the world and will continue to apply till the
maritime influence will stay put economic growth of any Nation in the evolving
dynamics of today’s geo-politics. The shift in China’s approach from confronting land
based threat to the maritime domain is another classical example of Mahan’s theory,
and Chinese strategist draw lessons from his teachings and findings that has helped
US, British, French, Germens, Japan to rise as global powers

About the Authors

2. James Holmes is a former U.S. Navy surface-warfare officer and presently is

a defense analyst for ‘The Diplomat’ and a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval
War College. He writes on maritime strategic perspectives and military history of
U.S, China and India. His research publications includes ‘A Brief Guide to Maritime
Strategy’, ‘Red Star over the Pacific, 2nd ed; ‘Strategy in the Second Nuclear Age’,
‘Defending the Strait: Taiwan's Naval Strategy in the 21st Century’, etc.

3. Dr. Toshi Yoshihara is renowned strategist and a professor of international

politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He has
contributed on global Policy and Strategy, University of California, San Diego and
Strategy Department at the U.S. Air War College, Institute for Foreign Policy
Analysis, RAND and the American Enterprise Institute. The author’s area of
expertise includes Chinese sea power, Indo-Pacific security, maritime and naval
strategy, strategic studies, etc. He has co-authored the above mentioned book
providing an in-depth insight into the application of Mahanian concepts of sea-power
to growing Chinese naval Strategies.

Content of the Book

4. This book is a methodical approach to understand evolving China’s Naval

Strategy to sea-oriented from Mao’s traditional land-based strategies. Admiral Liu
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Huaqing’s influence on PLAN developments since Deng’s period based on Mahan’s

concepts of Sea-power have changed the naval capabilities of the People’s Republic
of China (PRC) to overcome operational constraints imposed by the extended “first
island chain”. The issues with Taiwan, perceived threats posed by Japan and South
Korea, and the possible confrontation with US have been adequately addressed in
this with an insightful summary. The major contentions of China’s maritime strategy
are well covered in the book, starting with Beijing’s concerns over Taiwan as an
obstacle to its border maritime ambitions, China’s adherence to Mahanian concepts
of power projection and sea control in her geo strategic scenario, emphasis on Mao’s
concept of active defense and building an offensive PLAN, Liu’s Offshore defense
strategy beyond first island chain and the China ambition for the ‘Command of
commons’ which has enabled force structuring PLAN into a formidable force and the
future trends are explained in detail.

5. The book is structured in eight chapters, sequentially covering the reasons for
China’s shift in her military strategies from land based to sea ward. The Chinese
strategist following the Mahanian concepts, envisaged to rise as strong sea power to
ensure sustained economic growth and Adm Liu’s approach to build a resilient PLA
Navy to protect her maritime interest is explained in detail. The littoral issues of
China are the primary challenges faced and growing concerns in the region, that
have forced China to build a strong offshore defense and an offensive naval
capability to gain control beyond first island chain. Mahan’s sea power theory with
Chinese characteristics, is well elucidated in China’s defense paper 2004 with official
mention of ‘Command of the sea’ and thus directs PLA Navy to develop a stronger
force. Commanding China’s commons, highlights the aspects of force structure of
PLAN, that is required to subdue threats rising from instability in maritime domain
around China, in addition due analysis between the US maritime requirements vis a
viz China’s maritime importance brings out the development of PLAN in first two
decades of 20th century.

6. Chapter three enumerates the vision of Adm Liu Huaqing was to build a
strategy that connects military means to political ends. His concept of offshore
defense provided resilient guidance for contingencies along mainland (particularly
Taiwan issues) and Mahan’s inspiration is readily evident in the memoir. And the
next chapter elucidates, the ‘Chinese littoral dilemma’, an analytical framework to
South China Sea with Mahanian strategic approach, geo-strategic impact of Taiwan
on China’s Policy, the Chinese shipping bound to seaports for Beijng under the
scrutiny of US in Korean peninsula and the disputed islands regions of Japan
effecting China’s foreign policy. The commercial importance of vital waterways,
accustom Beijing to build a capable PLA Navy to become a ‘Sea-power’, and this is
an observed trend which America in Mahan’s time followed when it was relying on
seagoing trade. However, China unlike US which had least potential naval
competitors from sea and disputes over land, faces a challenging complex scenario
to safeguard its sea lanes transiting her littorals and thus may lean to adopt Mahan’s
concepts of building FOB’s to develop indices of position, resources and defensibility
for ‘Security of Energy’. The seizure of Paracel and Spartly islands from Vietnam,
Mischief Reef from Philippines, stationing of Military base at Woody island, and MSR
FOB’s in IOR are the reflection of Mahanian inspired Chinese strategy. The
importance of China’s interest in Taiwan and its geo-strategic repercussions have
been adequately addressed Thus we observe, China’s intentions on Taiwan issue is
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highlighted in every White paper published till 2019. The North Sea Fleet and East
Sea Fleet of China are under continuous monitoring of Japan’s JMSDF (Japan
Maritime Self Defense Forces) a cause of concern for China, and the concept of
‘Power beyond Second Island chain’ take its shape to protect China’s interest in the
region. Also, brings out importance of the strategic buffer provided by Korean
Peninsular between Chinese troops in NE China’s frontline that are likely to confront
the US troops in ROK.

7. Chapter five dwells in to the theory of ‘Command of the commons’ as brought

out in Defense white paper of 2004 and articulates his work under four major
components. Strategic pathways for materiel and information, control over strategic
locations, power projection across vast distances and strategic rear support systems.
And, this is where the concept of ‘Turn to Mahan’ is induced into China which
envisages to control SLOCs, establish overseas colonies, build a large navy,
exercise freedom of navigation and commerce worthy of being a great power. Mao’s
military approach of active defense is where PLA Navy is shaping in for, going on an
‘offensive defense’. The result of this has lead to China building a strong PLAN to
have substantial maritime capability in the region as discussed in chapter six. The
seventh chapter has poured a food for thought for the readers to analyse what could
be the possible future maritime strategy of China the possibility of China operating
collusively with US, however the thought provoked by the author does not strike
balance to the likely intentions of Chinese PLAN operating in the region as observed
in present scenario. Finally the last chapter has the certain proposition based on the
observed trends and history. They cull out set of conclusion on on the researched
subject and propose recommendation for the US to actively engage in Asia and be
prepared in all respects to overcome challenges posed by the rising Chinese
maritime dominance.

Comments

8. Knowing the conservative Chinese political system, it is impossible to gauge

the extent of Mahan’s influence on China’s maritime strategy, which unlike US is
dealing a completely different geo-politics, social, and economic domains. The
military expanse on the maritime front of PLA Navy may not be as envisioned by
Mahan for US, however the trends observed and leadership driving the maritime
strategy draw inspiration from Mahan’s concepts which is adequately clear from the
Chinese Defense White Papers published bi-annually. This book therefore, is true
analysis of Chinese behavioral aspects and aspirations to rise as a global power
through maritime expanse building a stronger Navy from early 2000 era to this date.
The research by the authors and the analysis drawn is the testimony to the rising
Chinese maritime dominance far beyond her mainland. This book gives a clear
insight as to why and how China is developing her strategies, policies in
neighbourhood and shaping the environment to emerge a strong economy and
global power. This book if read in conjunction with China’s defense paper will give a
more comprehensive outlook to the readers.