Enhancing China’s Status as a Great Power

Posted: August 1st, 2017

By Jeffrey Engstrom

Jeffrey Engstrom is a senior policy analyst specializing in Asia-Pacific security issues and foreign policy at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

By Michael S. Chase

Michael S. Chase is a senior political scientist at RAND and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

China is investing heavily in its military modernization program as it aims to extend its power, not only in the region, but globally. This has been a key focus of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the run up to the Communist Party Congress later this year, where he is expected to be designated for a second term as general secretary of the party and as president. The Cipher Brief’s Will Edwards asked RAND Corporation experts, East Asia senior analyst Jeffrey Engstrom and political scientist Michael Chase, to explain China’s expansion of its military force projection and how it will impact U.S. goals in the region.

The Cipher Brief: China is investing heavily into improving its ability to project power beyond its borders. What are some of the capacities it is acquiring/expanding?

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