Book Talk: China’s Quest for Military Supremacy

Based on the new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy by Phillip Saunders and Joel Wuthnow, this talk offers a broad and accessible exploration of Chinese military power, including relations between the Chinese Communist Party and its army, the strategic worldview of Chinese leaders, military strategy and resourcing, conventional and nuclear modernization, military diplomacy and coercion, preparations for war, and the People’s Liberation Army’s emerging global role. The book also identifies the challenges facing China’s military and explains how its focus on regional supremacy means that it is not yet prepared to fight with the same lethality beyond Asia. Different futures are possible, and the book concludes with a preview of what it might take for a truly “world-class” Chinese military to take the global stage.

Speakers include: 

• Phillip Saunders, Director of the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies
• Rana Mitter (Moderator), S.T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, Harvard Kennedy School

Event Details

Registration is required for this event. This event is in-person and open to Harvard ID holders. Please register using your Harvard email address. A recording will be made available after the event’s conclusion.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.

Additional questions? Email the Ash Center events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.