Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:29:26-1:30:09

Reading Gorshkov, Mahan, and Corbett to assess China

Gorshkov provides the main historical guide to Chinese naval development, tempered by Mahan and Corbett.

Alfred Thayer MahanChinese NavyCommand Of The SeaDoctrinal AnalysisJulian CorbettNaval DoctrineNaval EducationNaval StrategyNaval ThoughtPeople’s Liberation Army NavySea PowerSergey Gorshkov
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Question

What historical precedent is the People's Liberation Army Navy using for its development plan?

Short answer

Start with Gorshkov, then combine his ideas with elements of Mahan and Corbett to estimate the doctrinal direction.

Notes

The answer offers a method for interpreting fleet construction rather than claiming access to a fixed Chinese blueprint. Gorshkov's writings matter because they remain influential teaching material in Chinese naval education. Mahan and Corbett supply additional ideas about command of the sea, maritime power, and the relationship between fleets and wider strategy. Together they help place observed shipbuilding choices within a plausible doctrinal range while leaving room for error.