Deciphering Chinese Deterrence Signalling in the New Era: An Analytic Framework and Seven Case Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to examine how Chinas approach to deterrence signalling is evolving along with its expanding objectives, growing military capabilities, and the availability of new communication channels, such as Chinese- and English-language social media. As Chinas pursuit of its goals becomes more assertive, one critically important question for analysts and policymakers in Australia, the United States, and other regional countries is how to interpret Chinas changing approach to deterrence signalling. This report is intended to contribute to a better understanding of deterrence and counter coercion across domains in the Indo-Pacific region at a time of increased friction and strategic competition with China. In particular, it presents a framework to evaluate Chinas changing approach, one that is intended to enable analysts and policymakers in Australia, the United States, and other countries to appropriately characterise, interpret, and respond to Chinese deterrence signaling.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2021
Accession Number
AD1134808

Entities

People

  • Derek Grossman
  • Kristen Gunness
  • Marigold Black
  • Michael S. Chase
  • Natalia Simmons-thomas
  • Nathan Beauchamp-mustafaga

Organizations

  • Department of Defence
  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Forces (Foreign)
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Defense Systems
  • Geography
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Applications
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Recreation
  • Rockets
  • Social Media
  • Sociopolitics
  • Treaties
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Warning Systems

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Political Science/ International Relations/ European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design