Red Star Over The Pacific 2nd Edition: China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy - Toshi Yoshihara and James R Holmes

This review has been submitted to Proceedings for consideration. 

Title: Red Star Over The Pacific 2nd Edition: China's Rise and the Challenge to US Maritime Strategy
Author: Toshi Yoshihara and James R Holmes
ISBN: 978-1-682-47218-7
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 366
Photos/Maps: 0/5

The world has watched as, over the last 25 years, China’s naval strength and vision has grown from a coastal to a blue water perspective. Slowly, inexorably, China has undertaken a series of concurrent activities that has seen the extension of the PLAN’s technological capability (via international purchase and domestic development), marked improvement in personnel training and professionalism and an expansion of doctrine in keeping with this broadening of proficiency. Yoshihara and Holmes have expertly summarized these developments in this work. 

The authors have divided the book into a series of defined chapters that serve to shed light on particular aspects of the Chinese historical, doctrinal and operational approach to maritime strategy. Presented in a lucid and accessible manner, each expands upon the knowledge presented in the former to build a comprehensive and well-rounded picture of not only the tangible changes occurring in the region but the psychological and historical underpinnings of these efforts. 

Undertaking an extensive review of Chinese activities and looking in parallel at another nation state that made a concerted effort to challenge the naval status quo (pre-WW1 Germany), the authors have made a very convincing argument that China is following the tenants of Mahan’s “production, distribution and consumption” philosophy as the foundation of their strategic, operational and tactical thinking (a ‘sea denial’ approach). Additionally, and uniquely, they are also incorporating not only Corbett (another renowned Western naval thinker) but also the uniquely Eastern writings of Mao (and his ‘active defence’ approach) and Sun Tzu into their doctrinal development. As presented in the narrative, this provides them with a very broad spectrum of options when looking to expand their influence towards a blue water capability; all the while recognizing what their limitations are and endeavouring to use them in support of their strengths. 

Incorporated into the writers analysis, are primary source material from key military and political figures within the Chinese media, military and leadership. Using this basis, they outline the flexible and developing nature of naval doctrine and capability, national expectations and the vision the Chinese hold vis-à-vis their place within the international community. This analysis is presented opposite a similar look at US national and naval policy for the region; the dichotomy between them is sobering.

Rounding off the narrative, the authors present the readers with a series of options and recommendations regarding the influences that drive the way forward for the Chinese. These suggestions present cogent, balanced and insightful options and opportunities that, given their past actions, may very well foretell the limitations and parameters within which the Chinese may be forced to operate. They also paint a nuanced view of the Chinese strategic and operational options; dispelling some of the Western prejudiced notions surrounding the inevitability of Chinese regional hegemony.

Opposite this, the authors also do the same for the US and her regional Allies in developing strategies to counter the very real threat of China’s Mahanian based expansionist efforts. The writers contend that central to this is a requirement to realign preconceived assumptions underlying the capacity of China to maintain its developmental trajectory and its willingness to forward its regional and international agenda in the face of balanced, determined resistance Additionally, to proactively entertain non-traditional responses to China’s ‘grey-zone’ offensive and to look toward a more ‘holistic’ approach to the use of naval, coast guard and civilian merchant shipping in containing Chinese efforts.

This is an excellent book that truly draws together the myriad of influences: historical, cultural and political, that underpin the Chinese efforts to resume its pre-eminent position on the world stage. The alternatives that they present for the US and other regional players are thoughtful and attainable. Well written, coherent and engaging, this is definitely a book to read for China watchers and policy developers alike.