The United States and a Rising China

Abstract

Abstract : This report summarizes the findings of a multiyear project entitled Chinese Defense Modernization and Its Implications for the United States Air Force. It focuses on the fundamental question of how U.S. policy should deal with China, a rising power that could have the capability, in the not too distant future, of challenging the U.S. position in East Asia and U.S. military, political, and economic access to that dynamic and important region. It then specifically addresses the implications for the U.S. Air Force (USAF), in the areas of shaping the environment, deterrence and warfighting. This summary draws heavily on the other work conducted in the course of the study. The results of some of this work have been, or will soon be, published in other RAND documents. This project is being conducted in the Strategy and Doctrine Program of Project MR FORCE under the sponsorship of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, U.S. Air Force (AF/XO) and the Commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF/CC). This report should be of interest to members of the national security community and to interested members of the general public. Comments are welcomed and may be addressed to the project leader, Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad.