Blue Water Command: The Evolution of Authority on Chinese Warships

Blue Water Command: The Evolution of Authority on Chinese Warships cover
Blue Water Command: The Evolution of Authority on Chinese Warships cover



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Just fifteen years ago, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) seldom sailed beyond the Chinese littorals. When PLAN ships left home port, they did not stay away long; while at sea, they encountered few threats. Such were the rhythms of a coastal defense navy in a time of peace. Decades of easy duty nurtured a command culture that favored concentrated authority: only the commanding officer (CO) or the executive officer (XO) “drove” the ship or made decisions about what the ship did.

Ryan D. Martinson