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China

At a time of shifting global power, RUSI is one of the few Western institutes to have established a working dialogue with China's national security establishment.

RUSI studies China's role in the world and the modernisation of its armed forces across its programmes and initiatives.

RUSI's Asia programme examines the rise of China in its regional context. RUSI Asia experts study China's changing relationship with Japan, its diplomacy in the Six-Party Talks on North Korea, and its interaction with the other emerging great powers of Asia.

The Asia and Africa programmes also examine together China's role in the politics of energy and resources in a fast-emerging continent.

The Military Sciences programmes study all aspects of China's rapidly changing armed forces, monitoring developments in the People's Liberation Army's use of technology, equipment and doctrine.

RUSI experts enjoy a growing relationship with academic and policy makers in China, leading to a series of exchanges, visits and joint conferences.

Recent activities 2010-2011

RUSI's relationship with China's national security establishment was exemplified this year when a RUSI team held strategic discussions with high-level officials of the Communist Party at the Chinese Institute for International and Strategic Studies in March 2011. Led by former SIS Chief and RUSI Senior Fellow Sir John Scarlett, the forum has been credited in assisting senior Chinese national security officials in defining China's own strategic policy concerns.

RUSI has fostered a robust political-military discourse between Western and Chinese National Security policymakers. In November 2010, RUSI worked with China's Center for Peace and Development Studies - one of the country's top security think tanks - to host the first ever Sino-UK Think Tanks Forum on Security Strategy. The forum received significant coverage in the Chinese press and generated discussions on the meeting's primary subject: nuclear proliferation. Indeed, in all these initiatives, RUSI has been able to encourage Chinese policymakers to engage and act more proactively in international nuclear proliferation issues - another international strategic objective of the Institute already mentioned here.

Publications, articles and analysis

For the latest analysis and most comprehensive analysis on China, click here.

Selected analysis

Troubled Waters: the Implications of China's First Aircraft Carrier Commentary: 16 Aug 2011
Far from transforming Asia's naval balance, the launch of China's first aircraft carrier will only begin to expose China to the rigours of modern naval warfare. The region should respond to the strategic ripples by steering carefully between complacency and alarmism.

Escalation in the South China Sea Articles: 28 Jul 2011 by Alexander Neill
Tensions are rising in Southeast Asia as the maritime interests of China, the US and other regional powers collide

The PLA in 2010: Adventurism or Introspection? Articles: 26 Jan 2010 by Alexander Neill
The Chinese Army’s more assertive international role could lead to escalating geopolitical tensions with two key rivals – the US and India

China, Europe and Strategic Intent: A New Role for the UK? Commentary: 14 Jan 2011
China testing its latest stealth jet during Robert Gates' visit is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cooling Sino-US relations. This presents an opportunity for the UK and the EU to engage in a strategic defence discussion with China.

Spears and Shields: China's 11 January missile defence test Commentary: 19 Jan 2010
Beijing's recent missile test was a prelude to rising US-Chinese tensions over Taiwan - and will re-ignite the strategic debate on space warfare.

Expectations of a globally active China Commentary: 17 Dec 2009
As President Hu Jintao unveils a new foreign policy initiative, there is now a renewed interest in a more globally active China. However, decisive differences with the US on Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan show that actions will continue to be carried out with domestic interests in mind.

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