ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the case study of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) development and acquisition of aircraft carriers and what it means for Taiwan and the rest of the Asia-Pacific. The geostrategic reorientation and doctrinal transformation produced a new strategic logic that was more conducive to the idea of aircraft carriers. They argue that the PRC is pursuing a naval strategy first set out thirty years ago by Admiral Liu Huaqing whereby the PLAN would gradually extend its reach outward into the Pacific Ocean in three phases. Most significantly, carriers offer extended blue water capability and an improved capacity for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and airborne early warning (AEW) support. The people's liberation army (PLA) Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs) and land-based aircraft can likely cause to devastating damage to Taiwan.
