K. Tristan Tang
K. Tristan Tang is a research associate at the Research Project on China’s Defense Affairs and a member of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program. His research focuses on China’s defense industry, the People’s Liberation Army, and Chinese foreign policy. You can connect with him on X: @KTristanTang.
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Articles by K. Tristan Tang
Instead of Joint Sword-2024C, PLA Intensifies Winter Naval Training
Executive Summary: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval training drills near Taiwan and surrounding the First Island Chain on December 9–11 did not constitute a full-scale joint exercise but sent a
Joint Sword-2024B: Quarantining Key Ports and Seizing Comprehensive Superiority
Executive Summary: The Joint Sword-2024B exercise on October 14 focused on quarantining Taiwan’s ports and establishing sea and air superiority. It showcased the ability of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to
Xi Jinping Has Further Boosted the Military-Industrial Group of China
Executive Summary: Since at least the 19th Party Congress, Xi Jinping has promoted military-industrial officials, whose presence at the vice-ministerial level has grown since the 20th Party Congress in 2022.
PRC Expands De Facto Jurisdiction in the Taiwan Strait
Executive Summary: Beijing has begun to assert greater jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, with incursions by People’s Republic of China (PRC) government vessels into waters under Taiwan’s jurisdiction set to
Xi Seeks to Reinvigorate Military-Civilian Integration
Introduction In a speech to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAP) delegation to the National People's Congress (NPC) on March 8, Chinese President and
At a Dead End? China’s Drive to Reform Defense Science and Technology Institutes Stalls
Introduction Since becoming China’s top leader ten years ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping has sought to sustain a three-decade effort to reform the defense industry in order to advance the
Predicting China’s Next Foreign Minister: Key Factors and Policy Implications
Introduction At the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 20th Party Congress in late October, five diplomats were selected as full Central Committee members, one of whom will be appointed as China’s