Q&A · 2:09:29-2:09:44

Do not project today's Chinese Navy back into the Cold War

For most of the Cold War, China's fleet remained a green- to light-blue-water force; its rise into a major maritime power belongs largely to the post-Cold War period.

Blue Water Navy Chinese Navy Cold War Green-Water Navies Naval Modernisation

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Question

What role did the Chinese Navy play during the Cold War?

Short answer

It was mainly a green- to light-blue-water force, with China's major naval rise occurring after the Cold War.

Notes

The modern People's Liberation Army Navy should not be read backwards into earlier decades. For much of the Cold War, China possessed a green-water or only lightly blue-water fleet. The major expansion in reach and strength came later. This supplies an important periodisation rule for comparing Soviet, Western, and Chinese naval power.