Episode 734: Parades, Carriers, and China's Military Signaling, with Dean Cheng

For decades, while the rest of the world’s powers have distracted and tangled themselves with wars of choice and blunder, the People’s Republic of China has been watching, learning, and building. To what end?

Returning to Midrats to discuss this and more will be Dean Cheng.

Dean is a Senior Advisor, United States Institute of Peace; Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute.He recently retired after 13 years with the Heritage Foundation, where he was a senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs, and wrote on various aspects of Chinese foreign and defense policy.Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, he was a senior analyst with the China Studies Division (previously, Project Asia) at CNA from 2001-2009.

Before joining CNA, he was a senior analyst with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) from 1996-2001. From 1993-1995, he was an analyst with the US Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment in the International Security and Space Division, where he studied the Chinese defense industrial complex.

He is the author of the book Cyber Dragon: Inside China’s Information Warfare and Cyber Operations (NY: Praeger Publishing, 2016), as well as a number of papers and book chapters examining various aspects of Chinese security affairs.

Show Links

• Xi Jinping hails ‘unstoppable’ China at landmark military parade, Financial Times
• More than pageantry, China’s military parade shows off new missiles, drones and other equipment, The Independent
• YJ-15 missile, YJ-19, YJ-17, YJ-20 hypersonic missiles, Global Times
• NASA Names Astronauts to Next Moon Mission, First Crew Under Artemis

Summary

In this conversation, Dean Cheng and the hosts discuss the implications of China’s recent military parade, the evolution of its nuclear capabilities, and the modernization of its conventional military forces. They focus on China’s ambition to establish a new world order and the strategic importance of its space and cyber capabilities. The discussion also touches on the role of coercion and deterrence in China’s military strategy, as well as the challenges posed by its growing influence on the global stage.

Takeaways

• China’s military parade reflects its growing power and ambition.
• The presence of foreign leaders at the parade indicates shifting alliances.
• China is expanding its nuclear capabilities significantly.
• The PLA is focusing on both conventional and nuclear modernization.
• China’s approach to military strategy includes both coercion and deterrence.
• The Chinese space program aims for long-term presence on the moon.
• China’s cyber capabilities are evolving rapidly and pose a threat.
• The PLA’s indigenous production capabilities are improving.
• China’s military strategy is influenced by its historical context.
• The geopolitical landscape is changing with China’s rise.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to the Discussion on China and Military Parades
03:07: Analysis of the Recent Military Parade and Its Implications
06:05: The Evolution of China’s Nuclear Capabilities
12:07: China’s Conventional Military Strategy and Modernization
16:04: China’s Global Influence and New World Order
20:06: The Role of Coercion and Deterrence in Chinese Strategy
26:12: China’s Space Program and Technological Advancements
34:59: China’s Cyber and Information Warfare Capabilities
43:46: The Future of China’s Military and Strategic Developments