K. Tristan Tang
K. Tristan Tang is an Associate Fellow at the Research Project on China’s Defense Affairs, Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, and a member of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program. He is also the co-founder and project lead for wargaming at the Taiwan Defense Studies Initiative. 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
Cronyism and Failed Promotions: Xi’s PLA Purge
Executive Summary: The Ministry of National Defense announced on October 17 that nine generals—including Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong and Political Work Department Director Miao Hua—had been expelled
CMC Reshapes PLA Political Work System
Executive Summary: The PLA’s new regulation on political cadres aims to reform a deeply entrenched political work system by emphasizing impartial personnel management and personal discipline. The regulation defines behavioral
New Emphases in the PLA’s Operational Centers of Gravity
Executive Summary: Like many militaries around the world, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) places strong emphasis on Clausewitz’s concept of the center of gravity—the single most important and decisive operational
Dissipative Warfare: The PLA’s Potential New Strategy in the AI Era
Executive Summary: For the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the AI era, dissipative warfare could be the theory that replaces attrition with a strategy focused on maintaining internal order and
PLA Navy Shifts Training Focus from Near-Shore to Blue-Water Operations
Executive Summary: In June 2025, the Liaoning and Shandong carrier strike groups conducted operations in the Western Pacific, achieving three major milestones with significant strategic implications for the U.S. military
Latest PLA Anti-Corruption Campaign Enhances Xi Jinping’s Control Over the Military
Executive Summary: The PLA followed the overall disciplinary work of the Chinese Communist Party to promote the “all-around battle” against corruption. The “all-around battle” against corruption includes strengthening vertical control
‘Strait Thunder-2025A’ Drill Implies Future Increase in PLA Pressure on Taiwan
Executive Summary: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operations against Taiwan on April 1–2 consisted of multiple drills that had limited interconnection, distinguishing them from exercises that tend to be more complex
He Weidong’s Possible Downfall and Xi’s Trust Deficit With the PLA
Executive Summary: Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong’s absence from an important public event, one attended by all Politburo members except him, suggests that he is either seriously ill
Xi Struggles to Keep Military Construction Reform on Course at Two Sessions
Executive Summary: Corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has stymied efforts to deepen coordination in the military-industrial sector and related military equipment departments. The substance of Xi Jinping’s speech
Military Implications of PLA Aircraft Incursions in Taiwan’s Airspace 2024
Executive Summary: In 2024, the number of days and sorties involving Chinese military aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line reached a peak, but the total sorties of Chinese aircraft
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