Abstract
The article discusses China’s diplomatic and military endeavors since the Taiwan Strait crisis of 1995-1996 in an attempt to discourage U.S. involvement in a cross-strait war. It is suggested that the Chinese government has indicated the importance it attaches to resuming control of Taiwan by constructing combat systems capable of holding U.S. naval assets at risk in Asia. It is argued that China’s use of coercion and deterrence in the Taiwan Strait are a matter of communication and diplomatic signaling rather than military maneuvering of strategic forces. The skillful non-use of military force and the erecting of a “contested zone” are analyzed.
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