Peter Wood
Peter Wood edited The Jamestown Foundation’s China Brief publication between 2015 and 2018. Prior to coming to The Jamestown Foundation, he worked at the American Enterprise Institute and as a defense focused Chinese-language researcher. He received his M.A. in International Studies with a focus on strategic studies from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies. Mr. Wood earned a B.A. in Political Science from Texas Tech University. He is proficient in Mandarin Chinese. You can follow him on Twitter @PeterWood_PDW
Contact Peter Wood
Articles by Peter Wood
Major Themes in China’s 2019 National Defense White Paper
Introduction On July 24, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) issued its first new national defense white paper (NDWP) since 2015 (Xinhua). “China’s National Defense in a New Era” attempts
Greying China Strains Social Safety Net, Healthcare System
Despite the repeal of the “One Child Policy” and implementation of the “Comprehensive Two-Child Policy” in January 2016, in mid-January, the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics released a report that
China-Russia Relations Reality Check
In 2017, China and Russia trumpeted the closeness of their relationship, calling it a historic highpoint. Xi Jinping has made good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin a priority, visiting
China Faces Wintertime Energy Crisis of its Own Making
Northern China is facing an energy crisis this winter due to shortfalls in heating gas. Since mid-December, reports from Hebei, the province that surrounds Beijing and Tianjin, indicate that schools
Hungary: China’s Gateway to the EU Market
On November 24, Li Keqiang, China’s premier and top economic official, arrived in Budapest to great fanfare (China Economic Daily, November 29). Although Hungary is not typically on lists of
Cold Winter – China’s Envoy to Pyongyang Leaves Without Results
North Korea’s steady drumbeat of missile launches and provocations kept relations with China and the United States tense for most of the year. Harvest time and preparations for the Korean
CCP Revises Constitution For a “New Era”
On October 24, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issued a revised version of its constitution (中国共产党章程). Since the current version adopted in 1982, it has been amended several times, including
Xi Jinping Presides Supreme Over Start of 19th Party Congress
China’s 19th Party Congress is now in full swing. On August 18, Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping started the once-every-five-years meeting with a sweeping party work report laying out
PLA Attempts to Attract Higher-Quality Recruits
In late August, China’s annual conscription (征兵) period ended. This years’ newest group of PLA recruits was reportedly among the worst in recent memory, with widespread reportage across Chinese and
Pushing Boundaries – Chinese Diplomatic and Military Behavior Intensifies in the Run-up to the 19th Party Congress
Amid rising tensions between the United States and North Korea, Gen. Fang Fenghui (房峰辉) greeted his American counterpart, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford in Beijing
China Brief Editor Peter Wood Cited in The Wall Street Journal
On July 24, The Wall Street Journal used maps and information provided by China Brief Editor Peter Wood in its article "China Prepares for a Crisis Along North Korea Border."
20,000 Li Over the Sea: China Sends Troops to First Permanent Base in Djibouti
In Chinese, the term wan li (万里; 10,000 li) is frequently used to indicate “a long way away”. On July 11, China’s first unit to be stationed abroad at a
China-Qatar Relations in Perspective
On June 5, Saudi Arabia announced it was cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar and closing its land border in response to Qatar “supporting terrorism.” Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab
China, Russia Commit to “Dual Track” Approach Toward Korean Peninsula Issues
On July 4, North Korea launched a multi-stage Hwasong-14 ballistic missile. During the flight test, the missile reached an altitude of 2,300 km and a lateral distance of 900 km
Xi Jinping and the ‘Other’ China
At the end of May, China held its annual Chinese Poverty Alleviation International Forum (中国扶贫国际论坛), which serves to draw attention to Chinese achievements in this area (Xinhua, May 26). Poverty
Strategic Assessment: China’s Northern Theater Command
At the end of April, China’s Defense Ministry announced it would be conducting “live fire drills” near the border with North Korea (MOD, April 27). This followed weeks of rumors
Philippines Choose Chinese Investment Over Territorial Defense
In early April, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made waves by promising to improve Philippine defenses on islands in the South China Sea. “We have to fortify. I must build bunkers
Refugees Flee into Yunnan After Renewed Violence Along Myanmar Border
Violence along China’s border with Myanmar is threatening yet again to spill across into Yunnan Province. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 20,000 refugees have fled
Snapshot: China’s Eastern Theater Command
Delivering his work report to the National People’s Congress, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang noted that “the Chinese mainland will resolutely oppose and contain ‘Taiwan independence separatist activities’” (“台独”分裂活动) (Xinhua, March
Food Security and Chinese “Comprehensive National Security”
On February 6, China published “Central Document No. 1”, its annual statement of agricultural policy. Two weeks later, on February 20, China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced that it will
Chinese Acquisitions Undercut Taiwan, U.S. Semiconductor Industry Edge
China’s central Party leadership recognizes that the Chinese economy must shift away from light manufacturing and intermediate goods like steel to higher value-added manufacturing. In July 2016 the Chinese State
Special Issue: Sino-Indian Relations
As Editor I have the pleasure of introducing our special issue on Sino-Indian Relations. The issue brings together a number of top China-watchers to examine the current security situation between
Carrier Operations on Display in the Bohai Gulf
On December 15, the Chinese Navy put its first carrier, the Liaoning, through its paces in the Bohai gulf (渤海) near Tianjin and conducted its first exercise with live ammunition
China Hails Progress Toward Military Reforms, Improved Jointness
As the major reorganization of the Chinese military nears its 1-year anniversary, the Chinese press and propaganda organs are reflecting on the progress made and steps yet to take in
Manila’s Pivot Toward Beijing
In mid-October, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited China. His visit was marked by a recalibration in Philippine policy toward China and the announcement of economic and military “separation” from the
Chinese Military Aviation in the East China Sea
On September 25, the Chinese Air Force performed a series of long-range patrols through the Miyako Strait and into the Western Pacific involving more than forty aircraft (Xinhua, September 25).
Chinese Perceptions of the “Third Offset Strategy”
China is deeply committed to a series of military reforms involving reorganization, more realistic training, and advanced weapons—all interconnected by information technology and with the various services and branches working
Bomber Strikes Chinese Embassy in Bishkek; China Announces New Defense Transportation Law
Bomber Strikes Chinese Embassy in Bishkek On August 30, a car bomb exploded outside the Chinese embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Three people were injured in the explosion. Fortunately the car
Chinese Military Promises Aid to Syria
China has announced a shift in its foreign policy toward Syria. During a visit to Damascus on August 14, People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Rear Admiral Guan Youfei (关友飞) noted
Snapshot: China’s Southern Theater Command
On December 31, 2015 China began a major overhaul of its structure military organizational structure. This included the abolition of the seven previous Military Regions (军区) and the creation of five
China’s Great Fishnet
With the announcement that the Permanent Court of Arbitration will rule on July 12 on its case between the Philippine and Chinese governments regarding China’s territorial claims in the South
China Gets More Blunt, Goes on Media Offense on South China Sea Issues
At this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue on Asian security, held in Singapore, China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea were in sharp focus. Admiral Sun Jianguo (孙建国) again represented China
Xi Visits China’s Northeast, Emphasizes Revitalization, Environment and Food Security
Chinese President and Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited China’s northeastern most province of Heilongjiang. The visit, on May 23–25, included a number of towns along the border
Chinese Signaling in the South China Sea
The recent landing of a Y-8X maritime surveillance aircraft on Fiery Cross Reef (永暑礁) in the South China Sea in response to an emergency is further evidence that China has
China-Indonesia Relations Heat Up Along the Third “Dash”
On March 19, Chinese and Indonesian media reported that a confrontation had taken place between Chinese fishing boats and an Indonesian Fisheries Ministry ship near the Natuna Islands, in the
China’s Quest For Food Security by 2020, Chinese Submarines Step Up Patrols in the Indian Ocean
China’s Quest For Food Security by 2020 Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting Hunan province has emphasized food production and achieving food security in a speech this week (Xinhua, March 9).
In a Fortnight: Xi Jinping Exhorts Media to Follow the Party’s Guidance; Sino-U.S. Competition for Influence in Southeast Asia Intensifies
China’s turn inward and focus on domestic security and political control are frequently documented in these pages. The past two weeks have seen additional evidence of the increasing power and
North Korean Nuclear Test, Satellite Launch Increase Sino-Korean Tensions
On February 7, North Korea televised the launch of a rocket that put an “earth observation satellite” into orbit (KCTV, February 6; Xinhua, February 7). South Korea’s spy agency earlier
In a Fortnight: Xi Jinping’s Middle East Diplomacy
In mid-January, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked upon a high-visibility series of visits to Middle Eastern countries, with stops in Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia—three centers of power in the
Taiwan’s Elections; Chinese Military Reform
Taiwan’s Elections Editor’s Note: Ahead of Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections on January 16, we have devoted a number of this issues’ articles to the question of what cross-Strait relations
Waking Up? China Moves on Environmental Issues at Paris Summit
In 2009, the image of Chinese ministers asleep at their desks at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen was taken as a metaphor for the world’s torpid movement
Su-35 Purchase: Evidence of Sino-Russian Relations’ Weakness or Strength?
In a reversal of previous statements about Russia’s long-delayed sale of Sukhoi-35 fighter jets to China, Russian military-industrial conglomerate Rostec’s President Sergey Chemezov confirmed that the negotiation has been completed
After the Tour: Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asian Diplomacy
Even for China’s unusually well-traveled president, Xi Jinping, the past month has seen a large number of important visits, culminating in the Asia Pacific Economic Partnership (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting
Fifth Plenum Announces End to One-Child Policy
China has set the tone for government policy over the next five years with the announcement of the results of the Fifth Plenum of the 18th Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
China Conducts Anti-Terror Cyber Operations With SCO Partners
China has conducted its first joint Internet Anti-Terror Exercise (网络演习), “Xiamen 2015,” with the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) (Xinhua, October 14). Teams from all of the SCO’s
Chinese Rocket Launches Point to Robust, Expanding Capabilities
In late September, China conducted the first launch of two new types of rocket, the Long March 6, and the Long March 11 (China Military Online, September 20; People’s Daily
Xi Jinping’s Visit to the United States to Highlight Internet Rules, Economic Cooperation, Differences
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States next week, the seventh time since he first visited the country as Secretary of Zhengding County in Hebei in
Chinese Military Parade Emphasizes Peace, Displays Military Might While Cutting Troop Numbers
On September 3, China held a military parade commemorating the end of World War II (WWII). A departure from previous parades, which only took place on China’s October 1 National
China Stokes Anti-Japanese Sentiment After Abe Speech, Ahead of September Parade
This past week marked the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. On August 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a speech commemorating the
Exercises Highlight PLA Amphibious Capability
Immediately following the May release of its new maritime-focused National Defense White Paper, China is practicing “new type naval combat force” operations in the South China Sea (Xinhua, May 26;
In a Fortnight: Myanmar’s Leaders Court China Despite Violence Along Border
As global attention focuses on China’s rising tensions with neighboring states in the South China Sea, violence has erupted elsewhere in the region, this time along China's border with Myanmar.
Dual-Use Ships and Facilities Send Mixed Message in South China Sea
In mid-June, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang announced that Chinese land reclamation efforts would soon end, hopefully marking the end of tensions caused by China’s rapid expansion
Special Issue on 2015 Defense White Paper on Military Strategy
As Editors, we have the distinct pleasure of introducing a special issue of China Brief, focused on the Chinese government’s 2015 Defense White Paper (DWP) and its theme of military
China Plays Helo Card to Shift Military Balance in East China Sea Dispute
Despite a slight improvement in Sino-Japanese relations since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Beijing in November 2014 for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, both countries have diligently
China’s ‘Eternal Prosperity’: Is Island Expansion a Precursor to South China Sea ADIZ?
The expansion of a military airstrip and high-level visit from China’s naval chief this month have put a small island in the middle of the South China Sea back in
Philippine Military Modernization More Urgent and Less Likely after Hurricane
Typhoon Haiyan, known as Yolanda in the Philippines, killed 5,719 and injured 26,233 and displaced more than four million people (ndrrmc.gov.ph, December 4; Manila Bulletin, November 20). This is more
China-Japan Relations Worsen as Chinese Naval Aviation Flies Through “First Island Chain”
China's relationship with Japan took a turn for the worse this past week, with a number of incidents and statements increasing tensions over the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. On October 27th,
Why China Wants the Su-35
A senior executive at Russia’s state arms export company, Rosoboronexport, has said that Russia will sign a contract to sell the advanced Su-35 jet to China in 2014, while confirming
The Spirit of Xu Sanduo: The Influence of China’s Favorite Soldier
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a long history of promoting its own group of moral heroes. Sino-Japanese War martyrs and hardworking small-town cadres have all been used by the
Counting Z’s: The Gradual Expansion of China’s Helicopter Force
While much attention has been given to Chinese development of fixed-wing aircraft like the J-20 and J-31, relatively little has been devoted to China's helicopter development. On March 16, 2013,