Erica Downs

Erica Downs in a fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.

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Articles by Erica Downs

Mission Mostly Accomplished: China’s Energy Trade and Investment Along the Silk Road Economic Belt

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to build the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB)—a network of transportation infrastructure across Eurasia—are unlikely to drive a step change in China’s energy trade with

Business and Politics in the South China Sea: Explaining HYSY 981’s Foray into Disputed Waters

At 9:00 A.M. on May 9, 2012, Chinese executives and government officials gathered at the headquarters of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to celebrate the commencement of drilling by

Books and Reports

Six Years at Sea… And Counting: Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy and China’s Maritime Commons Presence

Available Now Well over six years of Chinese anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden have directly supported People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) modernization goals and provided invaluable experience operating in distant waters. Lessons learned have spawned PLAN innovations in doctrine, operations, and international coordination. Many of the insights... MORE