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Spratly Islands

Report
The Political Geography of the South China Sea Disputes
Until the early 20th century, the South China Sea was seen as a vital communications and trade passage that was not under the jurisdiction of any country or empire. How did littoral states' claims on its maritime zones and features develop? And what is the likely future of the disputes?
Oct 19, 2022
Journal Article
China Signals Resolve with Bomber Flights Over the South China Sea
An unprecedented display of Chinese strategic systems over disputed territories in the South China Sea reflects China's efforts to signal its resolve following a diplomatic defeat.
May 18, 2021
Report
In Line or Out of Order? China's Approach to ADIZ in Theory and Practice
This report contrasts the considerations that drove China's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea with the conditions in the South China Sea and explores China's options for declaring an ADIZ there.
Nov 10, 2017
Report
Maritime Issues in the East and South China Seas: Summary of a Conference Held January 12–13, 2016
This conference summary presents key insights from a January 2016 conference focusing on maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas.
Dec 12, 2016
Multimedia
United States and China: Trends in Military Competition
In this October 2015 congressional briefing, Eric Heginbotham discusses relative U.S. and Chinese military capabilities, including the evolution of Chinese military capabilities, steps the United States can take to limit the impact of a growing Chinese military on deterrence, and other U.S. strategic interests.
Oct 5, 2015
News Release
China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia
Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.
Sep 14, 2015
Project
An Interactive Look at the U.S.-China Military Scorecard
To advance the public debate, RAND Project AIR FORCE used open, unclassified sources to compile 'The U.S.-China Military Scorecard: Forces, Geography, and the Evolving Balance of Power.' Use this interactive graphic to explore the operational areas covered in the report.
Sep 14, 2015
Research Brief
Chinese Attacks on U.S. Air Bases in Asia: An Assessment of Relative Capabilities
China has the most active ballistic-missile program in the world. It has made rapid and substantial relative improvements in its ability to disrupt or degrade U.S. air operations by attacking air bases.
Sep 14, 2015
Research Brief
Chinese Threats to U.S. Surface Ships
China has rapidly improved its ability to reliably locate and attack U.S. carrier-strike groups at distances of up to 2,000 kilometers from its coast in a possible military conflict.
Sep 14, 2015
Research Brief
Tallying the U.S.-China Military Scorecard
A set of “scorecards” assesses the relative capabilities of U.S. and Chinese military forces in diverse types of conflict, at varying distances from the Chinese mainland, and at different points in time.
Sep 14, 2015
Research Brief
U.S. and Chinese Air Superiority Capabilities
The United States maintains unparalleled air-to-air capabilities. But the modernization of Chinese air forces, combined with the difficulties of operating over long distances in Asia, would make it more and more challenging for the United States to gain air superiority during the beginning of a possible conflict with China.
Sep 14, 2015
Report
China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia
Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.
Sep 14, 2015