Accession Number:

AD1112582

Title:

It's a "We said, Xi said" Kind of Situation: Analyzing CCP Perceptions of US Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Master's Thesis]

Corporate Author:

AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL

Personal Author(s):

• Kirklin, Russell J.

Report Date:

2020-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

107

Abstract:

This study comprises an analysis of strategic messaging within the international environment, specifically between the Peoples Republic of China PRC and the United States. The author assesses the strategic narrative conveyed through US Freedom of Navigation Operations FONOPs in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait, and what state-controlled, English-language Chinese media reactions reveal about how the Chinese Communist Party CCP perceives these messages. The conclusion is that these media reveal important insights into CCP perceptions and show a trend toward limited internal acceptance of the US Freedom of Navigation FON narrative from 2015-2019. However, the CCP rejected ascribing broad international interests as the purpose of US FONOPs the CCP instead perceived the operations primary purpose as serving US-specific interests, either internally-focused or as part of US-PRC power competition.

Descriptors:

• international relations
• international law
• warfare
• air force
• navy
• international organizations
• naval operations
• treaties
• national politics
• national security
• military aircraft
• united states european command
• military organizations
• second world war
• uss decatur
• uss lassen
• civil war
• department of state
• intergovernmental organizations
• agreements

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]