CMSI Translations

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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.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Serve Readiness and Warfighting, Promote Marine Environmental Construction

  Xu Quanjun and Xie Zhimin

  This report stresses that far-seas operations require "exquisite" marine environmental support, specifically hydrological and meteorological data. It calls for improved numerical forecasting for underwater "sensitive elements" like internal waves and eddies to support submarine positioning, underwater communications, and missile launches.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: The Biggest Obstacle to Chinese Nuclear Submarines Going Out Into The Indian Ocean

  Hei Jin

  This analysis identifies the lack of overseas support points as the primary obstacle to Chinese nuclear submarine operations in the Indian Ocean. While acknowledging the Djibouti base, the author argues that the political and technical costs of supporting nuclear reactors there are high. The piece suggests that truly covert operations require "second tier" bases in remote regions like Tanzania or Madagascar to avoid international surveillance.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Why Landing Operations Are Hard

  Wang Guo and Wang Xiang

  This theoretical analysis examines why amphibious operations are uniquely difficult, identifying command of the sea and air as absolute preconditions. It emphasizes that successful landings depend heavily on the meticulous choice of timing and location, as well as the ability to maintain "sustained logistical support" once forces are on the beachhead.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Five Major Implications of Chinese Surface Task Forces Crossing the International Date Line

  Li Jie [李杰 }

  This article analyzes the strategic significance of the Chinese Navy’s Southern Theater Command surface task force crossing the international date line in a combat readiness posture for the first time in February 2020. The event signals China’s growing capability and intent to operate in the far seas without geographic restrictions, challenging long-standing U.S. dominance in the Pacific. The operation demonstrates China’s increasingly advanced naval assets, including destroyers, frigates, supply ships, and reconnaissance vessels, and underscores the potential to deploy larger warships in future missions. Crossing the island chain barriers near Hawaii illustrates China’s determination to overcome historic strategic constraints, while the task force’s presence supports the security of China’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) in extended oceanic areas. The article highlights implications for maritime power projection, regional security dynamics, and strategic deterrence, providing key considerations for policymakers monitoring China’s expanding naval reach.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Accelerate the Formulation of a National Maritime Strategy and Maritime Basic Law

  Wang Hanlin

  This article emphasizes the urgency of formulating a National Maritime Strategy and a Maritime Basic Law following the 18th Party Congress decision to transform China into a maritime power. The Maritime Basic Law is needed to legalize the strategy, define departmental responsibilities, and translate international obligations, such as UNCLOS rights, into domestic law for effective implementation. The law would also specify China’s principled positions on resolving maritime disputes and is viewed as a measure to increase policy transparency and deter foreign harassment, following the example of the 1958 Territorial Sea Statement.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: A Maritime Legal Contest

  Han Yong

  Focused on the Diaoyu Islands dispute, this article details China’s legal counterattack following a directive to "arm itself with the law". China implemented a "rights protection chain" involving timely legislation (Statement on Territorial Sea Baselines), law enforcement (CMS patrols), and pursuing international validity (filing coordinates with the UN). China's territorial claims are supported by the 1992 PRC Law of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone, which explicitly includes the Diaoyu Islands. The article notes that while China has historical jurisdiction, the increasing international legal trend suggests that the validity of actual control is greater than historical evidence.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: An Unforgettable Maritime Contest in the East China Sea: A Partial Account of the Rights Protection/Law Enforcement Operation Following an Incident Involving the Sinking of an Unidentified Foreign Vessel in the East China Sea

  Liu Zhendong

  This article recounts a 9-month rights protection/law enforcement (维权执法) operation in China's EEZ by China Marine Surveillance (CMS) in 2002, following an incident involving Japan. The operation established the position of CMS as a representative implementer of government functions. Despite significant equipment disparity, CMS successfully asserted China's sovereign rights and jurisdictional rights over the area, compelling Japan to eventually submit to CMS supervision (监管) of its salvage operations. CMS achieved breakthroughs by seizing opportunities, such as collecting evidence on an oil slick or responding to a Chinese fishing vessel, to breach Japan's security perimeter and conduct on-site monitoring.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Drawing up a Maritime Basic Law/ Protecting Maritime Rights and Interests in Accordance with the Law

  Liu Huirong

  Advocating for the establishment of a Maritime Basic Law, this article addresses the structural deficiencies in China’s current maritime legal system, which is fragmented and lacks an authoritative, overarching law. The proposed law should be comprehensive, technical, and international in nature. Its contents should clearly stipulate the country's sphere of jurisdiction over the ocean, protect sovereignty, and establish basic policies to ensure coordination between statutes. The article notes that while the Property Law mentions "maritime space," the fundamental law still lacks a clear definition of the ocean, a gap the Basic Law must remedy.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: From Yan’an to the United Nations: The Diplomatic Career of Ling Qing

  Ling Qing

  This memoir excerpt details the PRC's first participation in international legislation (UNCLOS III) starting in 1973. It describes the strategic diplomatic decisions, such as China's support for the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to oppose maritime hegemony. The author notes that this support was sometimes unconditional and that they later questioned if it fully served China’s interests, particularly concerning the retention of the continental shelf principle, which China upheld. The chapter highlights that UNCLOS achieved a basic agreement on the division of maritime resources without war.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Grasp the New Features of Escort Missions and Strengthen the Effectiveness of Political Work

  Wang Zhanwu

  This article focuses on strengthening political work during naval escort missions, emphasizing the need for Party leadership and strict discipline in the far seas. Task forces must be focused on war preparation, integrating political plans with contingency plans for handling provocations and harassment. Strict control over internet use is mandated, especially when berthed in Djibouti or transiting straits, to prevent leaks and the posting of inappropriate remarks. Far-seas task forces are directed to conduct exploratory practices in the organization and execution of public opinion warfare, psychological warfare, and legal struggle.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Hainan Passes Regulation Allowing Detention of Foreign Ships that Illegally Land on Islands Within Its Jurisdiction

  Wu Shengjing

  This report details the implementation of the Hainan Province Coastal Security Regulation, which grants coastal security authorities in Sansha City powers similar to local police departments for inspection and administration. The regulation mandates strengthening patrols in Sansha City waters to enforce the law and defend national sovereignty. It identifies specific prohibited behaviors for foreign vessels within Hainan’s jurisdiction, such as illegally stopping or anchoring while transiting territorial waters, and grants authorities the power to inspect and administer vessels and crews.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Legal Problems Regarding the Use of Force in Military Actions at Sea

  Lin Tianjie

  This article analyzes the use of force, differentiating between military force (prohibited in principle, allowed in exceptions like self-defense) and law enforcement force (allowed in principle, but strictly regulated). It asserts that actions of a military character, even if disguised as law enforcement (such as in the Diaoyu Islands dispute or against foreign military vessels), should be categorized as military activities to ensure strict regulation of the use of force. Procedures must follow graduated steps: query, warning, warning shots, and actual use of force. Limitations on force must adhere to the principles of necessity, proportionality, and distinction.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: New Thinking on Joint Development and Freedom of Navigation in the South China Sea: Paths for Resolving the South China Sea Dispute Based on International Law

  Luo Guoqiang

  This paper evaluates China's long-standing policy of "putting disputes aside, engaging in joint development" in the South China Sea, noting its slow progress internationally and proposing that resolution should primarily rely on boundary agreements or legal adjudication. The article addresses concerns that China’s claim of "historical rights" threatens freedom of navigation. It argues that China only demands sovereignty over the islands and jurisdiction over resources within the dashed line, not territorial sovereignty over the entire area. The author contends that China's claims are less restrictive than the actions of other countries that exploit UNCLOS to carve up maritime space.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: On the Legality of Applying Straight Baselines to China’s Mid-Ocean Archipelagos A Perspective from Customary International Law

  Zhang Hua

  This article provides a legal basis for applying straight baselines to China’s mid-ocean archipelagos (Paracels and Diaoyu Islands), arguing that it is justified by customary international law rather than analogy with UNCLOS Articles 7 or 47. The practice, supported by multiple states, constitutes a "sui generis" straight baseline. The author argues that the legality of these baselines depends on the islands constituting a legal "unit". Critiques from the US that rely on UNCLOS’s restrictive water-to-land ratios and maximum lengths are invalid because these limitations do not apply to sui generis baselines derived from customary law.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Philippines Violates Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea

  Feng Liang

  This article criticizes the Philippines for unilaterally pushing for international arbitration regarding the South China Sea, arguing that this action violates the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC). The DOC stipulates that territorial disputes should be resolved through "friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned," which clearly excludes third-party interference like arbitration. The core issue is sovereignty over islands within China’s nine-dash line. The article asserts that the arbitration court lacks the right to adjudicate, especially since China made exclusionary claims in 2006 under UNCLOS Article 298 regarding territorial ownership and historical possession.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: PRC Coast Guard Law (Draft)

  Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress

  This draft legislation defines the China Coast Guard Bureau (CCGB) as an important maritime armed force and the unified state administrative law enforcement body responsible for safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. It grants the CCGB comprehensive law enforcement duties, including security, customs, and environmental protection. Key powers include the authority to take measures such as detention, forcible eviction, or forcible towing of foreign vessels illegally entering China's internal waters or territorial sea. The draft explicitly authorizes the CCGB to use weapons to stop unlawful infringements and permits the forcible dismantling of foreign-constructed buildings or structures.

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  CMSI Archive Translation: Research on Civil Wharfs Construction Implementing Maritime Strategic Projection Requirements

  Wang Xin

  This research focuses on ensuring civil wharves meet the requirements for maritime strategic projection, especially for loading heavy military equipment in wartime. The facilities must meet stringent standards, including those for protection and emergency repair (e.g., underground command posts). A standards system framework, including technical and management standards, is necessary to legislate clear powers and obligations. The article advocates for moving the implementation mode from mandatory mobilization to contractual mobilization, learning from foreign models that use legal contracts to clarify rights and responsibilities.