CMSI Translations are translations of articles pulled from Chinese military maritime publications.
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CMSI Translations #30: Vision for Future Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier Supply Ships
Yin He
Given the substantial increase in sustainment requirements for the PLA Navy’s next-generation aircraft carriers, and acknowledging the limitations inherent in the Type 901 replenishment ship due to the technological constraints of its design era, the next-generation (新型) carrier replenishment vessel is expected to undergo significant modifications compared to its predecessor in several key areas
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CMSI Translations #29: Can “Armchair Strategizing” Secure Victory from a Thousand Miles Away?
Huang Lin, Xu Ting, and Deng Xiaotu
In 440 BC, Mozi and Lu Ban—using a belt to represent a city wall and wooden tablets as weaponry—launched a "paper confrontation" in front of the palace of the King of Chu that changed the trajectory of warfare. This simulation of nine victorious battles not only neutralized the power of the State of Chu’s siege ladders in an abstract strategic contest, but also revealed the ultimate value of wargaming: utilizing simulated combat to anticipate the realities of the battlefield and employing logical deduction to avert the calamities of war.
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CMSI Translations #28: Uphold the Idea of a Maritime Community with a Shared Destiny and Forge a New Chapter in Maritime Military Security Cooperation
Du Bo and Wang Chenyuan
The concept of a maritime community with a shared destiny proposed by Chairman Xi is China's wisdom and approach for maintaining global maritime peace, promoting ocean development, enhancing global maritime governance, and advancing maritime security cooperation. This should guide efforts to tailor security cooperation relationships based on different targets. We need to broaden our thinking and innovate mechanisms for maritime security cooperation, take proactive steps to provide maritime public security goods, strengthen coordinated implementation of external maritime military assistance, and promote the creation of a new landscape in maritime military security cooperation.
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CMSI Translations #27: What is the Significance of the PLAN Type 055 Destroyer Zunyi Task Force's Distant Deployment to Australia?
Zong He
In February 2025, a distant-ocean task force led by Chinese Navy Type 055 destroyer Zunyi made its first appearance in Australia’s near seas, conducting live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. This action not only set a record for the Chinese Navy's activities in the waters surrounding Australia, but also attracted widespread international attention due to its overwhelming technological superiority and strategic deterrence. This article will analyze the deeper significance of this action from the perspectives of task force composition, deployment process, technical performance, and geopolitical impact.
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CMSI Translations #26: Sea Dragon Refits Its Armor: The Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Ushers in a New Era
He Yin
At the close of 2024, the first of China's next-generation Type 076 amphibious assault ships was launched at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Named the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Sichuan with hull number 51, this milestone concluded the PLAN's major combat equipment development for the year.
China’s navy only began to develop and construct modern amphibious assault ships around 2017. While the first generation of Type 075 ships (an initial batch of four vessels) was still being rapidly constructed, work commenced on the second-generation Type 076 in less than six years. This demonstrated the Chinese navy's urgent need for large-scale amphibious operations equipment and the high priority placed on it. More significantly, compared to the Type 075, the Type 076 represents a qualitative leap in design concepts, technological sophistication, combat capabilities, and mission functionality. It will serve as a crucial component of the Chinese navy's future long-range strike and deterrence capabilities.
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CMSI Translations #25: A New Pillar for Distant Oceans: Concepts for the Chinese Navy's New Generation of General-Purpose Destroyers
Ying Tian
A recent unconfirmed rumor about the Chinese Navy developing a new general-purpose guidedmissile destroyer has stirred debate online. Many commenters argue that the Type 055 already offers exceptional capability across air defense, missile defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and general warfare roles, and is more than capable of meeting current mission needs. But because it’s expensive to build, it is not practical to produce in large numbers or to use for routine tasks, so it will likely remain a smaller part of the fleet. In contrast, the more affordable Type 052D class is limited by its size and displacement, which restricts how much it can be upgraded. As a result, it still cannot match the endurance or sustained firepower of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
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CMSI Translations #24: Accelerating the Development of (PLAN) Marine Corps Combat Capabilities to Win in High End Maritime Warfare
Rear Admiral Zhu Chuansheng
At present and for a period into the future, numerous security concerns and threats will persist along China's periphery, in the far seas, and overseas. [China’s] national security threats are primarily at sea, the focal point of military struggle is at sea, and the center of gravity for the expansion of [China’s] national interest is also at sea.3 As the elite amphibious combat force, the PLAN Marine Corps finds its primary theaters of operations in oceans, on islands, and overseas. It must closely monitor maritime and overseas security developments, accurately assess security threats, coordinate maritime and overseas operations, clearly identify military requirements, accelerate transformation and development, and continuously enhance combat capabilities. This will enable it to play a critical role participating in global maritime governance and winning high-end maritime conflict.
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CMSI Translations #23: The Elusive "Deep-Sea Beast": Analysis of the Performance of the Main Equipment of the U.S. Navy Virginia-Class Nuclear Attack Submarine
Wang Xiangxiang
In the vast expanse of the blue ocean, the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine, with its exceptional performance and advanced technology, has become the backbone of the U.S. Navy's undersea force in the 21st century. As one of America’s most modern nuclear attack submarines, the Virginia-class leads the global development of nuclear submarine technology with its multifunctional and multi-purpose design, exceptional stealth, and powerful combat capabilities.
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CMSI Translations #22: Implications of the U.S. Navy's "Sea Base" Construction for Equipment Support in Cross-Sea Landing Operations
Tan Benhang
Cross-sea landing operations (跨海登陆作战) is one of the primary forms of warfare for which our military is preparing, both for the present and for a period into the future. How to provide timely, reliable, continuous, and efficient equipment support for cross-sea landing operations is a critical matter requiring urgent research. The U.S. military was the first to propose the operational concept of “seabasing” to enable sea-based logistics and equipment support for forward-deployed task forces, thereby providing critical sustainment for out-of-area military operations. This seabasing initiative has important implications and provides a valuable reference for enhancing our military's equipment support capabilities for cross-sea landing operations.
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CMSI Translations #21: How to Achieve a “Soft Landing” for New Recruits Joining Companies
Cai Qingjian, Miao Pingyi, and Bao Hanliang
With expectations, dreams, and curiosity, in mid-June the new sailors who had enlisted this spring joined their companies. Saying goodbye to boot camp and moving to new posts, some new sailors experienced "acclimatization issues" in the unfamiliar environment. How can we help new comrades smoothly get through the "second adjustment period"? Each unit must carefully monitor the characteristics of the new sailors in addition to guiding and educating them. This issue's “Pathways of Youth” special edition brings you the stories and experiences of naval units as they work to effectively manage the integration of new sailors into their companies.
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CMSI Translations #20: Spring Breeze Accompanies Us As We Strive Forward
Teng Hao, Yang Liu, and Liu Zihao
Stories of a Northern Theater Command Navy coastal defense missile regiment doing a good job educating and managing new recruits in the spring enlistment period by closely aligning with human sentiment.
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CMSI Translations #19: Lessons and Thoughts from the Struggle for Command of the Sea in the Red Sea
Zhao Jiaxu and Huang Chunyu
Since mid-November 2023 to the present Houthi armed forces in Yemen have continued to hijack and attack vessels in the Red Sea that "use Israeli ports" or "engage in trade with Israel" to oppose Israel's military operations in Gaza and disrupt military assistance to Israel from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. As of April 1, 2024, over 86 vessels related to the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and other countries have been attacked. The Houthis continue to maintain control over the Red Sea, forcing vessels from these countries to risk damage and loss of life while navigating through the area. The crisis in the Red Sea is worsening.
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CMSI Translations #18: Combine Wisdom and Join Efforts, Training in a Sea of Mines, "Pioneers of Breaking Obstacles"
Li Muqiang, Yang Fulong, Qu Bin, and Zhai Dengqian
The sky is high, the lake is vast, and ghosts are lurking.
One day in early winter, in the riverside city of Wuhan, a speedboat zooms across the Great Mulan Lake. Its stern engine propellers spin, stirring up white waves... A realistic comprehensive exercise is in full swing, employing mine countermeasures combat divers. A mine countermeasures diver from a minesweeper unit (dadui) of the Northern Theater Command Navy, headquartered several thousand miles away, arrived at the training camp at the Naval University of Engineering (NUE). The divers collaborated closely with the university's mine countermeasures teaching and research section to conduct focused research on the disposal methods for new-type smart-mines (xinxing zhineng shuilei).
“Mine warfare presents a significant operational challenge for the world's navies. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence and other high-tech developments have rendered mines more intelligent and effective, allowing them to autonomously seek out targets and detonate on their own. This evolution further complicates and jeopardizes the mine-clearing efforts of combat divers.” Zhang Zhiqiang from NUE’s Mine Countermeasures Teaching and Research Section remarked that finding ways to enable mine countermeasures combat divers to swiftly and effectively identify and neutralize these intelligent mines is an urgent practical issue that requires immediate attention.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Analysis of Problems with Warship Damage Control Plans and Methods for Preparing Damage Control Plans
Jian Huajun and Zhu Haishi
This source provides a technical framework for preparing scientific and rational damage control plans aimed at maintaining a warship's "vitality". It critiques existing plans for being "divorced from reality" and calls for plans based on quantified risk assessments, such as precise flooding rates and fire extinguishing data. The authors advocate for a "planning–drilling–revising" cycle to ensure plans are simple, realistic, and streamlined for actual combat.
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CMSI Archive Translation: An Examination of the Use of Civil Helicopters in Mine Countermeasure Operations
Zhang Wei, Zhang Xiuzhi, and Wang Jiufa
This piece proposes the "COOP MCM" plan: using civilian helicopters and aircraft to conduct emergency mine clearing in wartime. It argues that helicopters are safer and faster than surface ships and that China's large inventory of civil helicopters (like the AC313) could be rapidly converted into MCM platforms using standardized, modular equipment.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Approaches to Improving Support Capabilities for Dock-Less Unloading
Liu Baoxin and Dong Nan
Focusing on "logistics over-the-shore, " this article argues for improved "dock-less unloading" capabilities for when enemy ports are damaged. It proposes establishing organic military support units, reserve forces drawn from port engineering firms, and unmanned support forces to clear obstacles and transport materials. The authors emphasize the need for new-type elevated causeway systems and Ro-Ro lighters to operate in high sea state.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Attack of the “Iron Shark”—The Party Committee of an Eastern Theater Command Navy Submarine Flotilla Focuses on Actual Combat to Bolster Its Ability to Prevail in Combat
Lian Wei and Zeng Ningning
Focusing on an Eastern Theater Command submarine flotilla, this report emphasizes "actual combat" as the fundamental standard for training. It describes rigorous drills where crews handle sudden equipment malfunctions—such as smoking valves or depth changes—to ensure they can operate effectively without panic under pressure. The article also discusses tactical innovation, such as counter-hunting surface ships, and the development of "mini-inventions" by crew members to solve technical bottlenecks.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Construction of Carriers for Strategic Power Projection in Response to National Security Needs
Liu Jiasheng, Sun Datong, and Peng Fubing
This article explores the construction of "strategic power projection carriers" (ships, aircraft, and heavy road vehicles) necessary for the military to "go out" and protect overseas interests. It outlines a "triad" of organic military, national, and societal transportation resources to achieve rapid deployment. The piece sets near-, medium-, and long-term goals for developing technologies like high-speed RO-RO ships, heavy transport aircraft, and unmanned projection fleets.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Countermeasures for Problems in Transport Service Support in Cross-Strait and Beach Landing
Chen Xuanyu, Ren Cong, and Wang Fengzhong
This paper addresses the dual combat and logistical nature of transport support in island landings. It identifies challenges such as the "Malacca dilemma, " transparent battlefields, and the vulnerability of logistics hubs to precision strikes. Recommended countermeasures include strengthening the development of air-cushion landing craft and shipborne transport helicopters to enhance vertical landing capabilities.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Deployment of Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) Support Forces for Warship Formations Conducting Distant Ocean Operations
Wei Zhenkun, Liao Xiaowu, Zhao Suli, and Guo Zhan
This article examines the deployment of Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) support forces as a "lifeline" for far-seas operations. It details a multi-layered deployment strategy involving rear shore-based depots, forward bases on remote islands or floating platforms, and maritime mobile replenishment formations. The authors advocate for "modularized free combinations" of storage and filling equipment to increase flexibility.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Discussion of Capacity Building of China’s Mine Countermeasure Support Ships
Ni Hua, Zhao Zhiping, Guan Hong, and Ai Yanhui
This source analyzes the "force multiplier" role of Mine Countermeasure (MCM) support ships in protecting shipping lanes like the "Maritime Silk Road". These ships provide command, control, and replenishment for modular systems, including unmanned surface and underwater vehicles and aerial MCM helicopters.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Lessons from Foreign Submarine Rotation
Li Jianlin, Wang Ruichen, and Xu Liming
Drawing on U.S. and Russian practices, this article explores how to increase the "at-sea presence" of SSBNs. It proposes a "far-seas rotation" model where crews are exchanged in the operating area using large support ships, thereby reducing transit time and maximizing the boat's effective duty time.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Mine Warfare Should Not Be Neglected
Huang Fengzhi
This article asserts that mine warfare should not be neglected because mines provide enduring, difficult-to-remove "strategic utility" in blockades and countering landings. It acknowledges a "fairly large gap" in Chinese MCM capabilities compared to global developments and calls for high priority on researching modern mine warfare systems.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Problems with Managing the Use of Warship Damage Control Equipment and Suggestions for Optimization
Deng Kaiyong, Yin Hui, and Shu Xiong
his article identifies systemic problems in warship damage control management, including irrational equipment configuration and inconsistent standards for model numbers. To optimize survivability, it recommends creating specialized functional areas for firefighting gear, leak-plugging tools, and drainage equipment. It also suggests modifying hose boxes to reduce deployment time from 30 seconds to just 10 seconds.
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CMSI Archive Translation: Research on Combined Support for Torpedoes and Sea Mines
Jin Mudan, Lu Hui, Feng Shaowei, and Chai Kai
This technical study researches "combined support" for torpedoes and mines to improve efficiency. Because these weapons share similar maintenance cycles, storage requirements, and personnel training needs, the authors argue for shared technical support areas to reduce construction costs and increase the speed of munitions supply during an informatized war.
