In this new edition, Bernard Cole revises his acclaimed study of China s navy, one that continues to grow while the U.S. Navy shrinks.

According to the author, Beijing is now giving increased attention to guarding its vital sea lanes because of the nation s growing dependence on maritime trade, especially energy supplies.

He provides a thorough description of China s naval establishment, including its personnel system, followed by a detailed view of its ships, submarines, and aircraft, all marked by technical sophistication and capability as China reaches the top rank of the world s maritime powers.

His evaluation is based on extensive interviews with Chinese and other naval experts, in-depth perusal of original documents, and visits to Chinese warships, training facilities, and shore establishments.