Bruce A. Elleman is William V. Pratt Professor of International History, U.S. Naval War College, specializing in Chinese history.

• Introduction: The Special Characteristics and Peculiarities of China’s Maritime History; 1. Battle of Bạch Đằng River (938); 2. Battle of Yaishan (1279); 3. Battle of Lake Poyang (1363); 4. Ming-Kotte War in Southeast Asia (1410); 5. Ming Loyalists Flee to Taiwan (1661–83); 6. Battle of Chuanbi (1839); 7. Sino-French War (1883–84); 8. Qing Beiyang Fleet’s Defeat in the Battle of the Yellow Sea (1894); 9. Chinese Decision to Sink Nationalist Navy as Blockships (1937); 10. ‘Chongqing’ Mutiny Allowing the PLA to Cross the Yangzi River (1949); 11. The Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–55 and 1958); 12. China’s Decision to Take the Paracel Islands from South Vietnam (1974); 13. Missile Blockade: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995–96); 14. The EP-3 Standoff and Diplomatic Resolution (2001); Conclusion: The Influence of History on the Formation of the Modern Chinese Navy; Appendices; Selected Bibliography; Index.

“Professor Elleman’s concise and highly readable descriptions of key naval encounters from the tenth through the twenty-first centuries provide admirable historical depth. This book will serve well as a useful overview for non-specialists and as a jumping-off point for readers who hope to explore specific aspects of China’s naval history in greater detail.”—Harold M. Tanner, Professor of Chinese History and Fellow, Military History Center, Department of History, University of North Texas, USA

Bruce A. Elleman is William V. Pratt Professor of International History, U.S. Naval War College, specializing in Chinese history.

• Introduction: The Special Characteristics and Peculiarities of China’s Maritime History; 1. Battle of Bạch Đằng River (938); 2. Battle of Yaishan (1279); 3. Battle of Lake Poyang (1363); 4. Ming-Kotte War in Southeast Asia (1410); 5. Ming Loyalists Flee to Taiwan (1661–83); 6. Battle of Chuanbi (1839); 7. Sino-French War (1883–84); 8. Qing Beiyang Fleet’s Defeat in the Battle of the Yellow Sea (1894); 9. Chinese Decision to Sink Nationalist Navy as Blockships (1937); 10. ‘Chongqing’ Mutiny Allowing the PLA to Cross the Yangzi River (1949); 11. The Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–55 and 1958); 12. China’s Decision to Take the Paracel Islands from South Vietnam (1974); 13. Missile Blockade: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995–96); 14. The EP-3 Standoff and Diplomatic Resolution (2001); Conclusion: The Influence of History on the Formation of the Modern Chinese Navy; Appendices; Selected Bibliography; Index.

“Professor Elleman’s concise and highly readable descriptions of key naval encounters from the tenth through the twenty-first centuries provide admirable historical depth. This book will serve well as a useful overview for non-specialists and as a jumping-off point for readers who hope to explore specific aspects of China’s naval history in greater detail.”—Harold M. Tanner, Professor of Chinese History and Fellow, Military History Center, Department of History, University of North Texas, USA

Bruce A. Elleman is William V. Pratt Professor of International History, U.S. Naval War College, specializing in Chinese history.

• Introduction: The Special Characteristics and Peculiarities of China’s Maritime History; 1. Battle of Bạch Đằng River (938); 2. Battle of Yaishan (1279); 3. Battle of Lake Poyang (1363); 4. Ming-Kotte War in Southeast Asia (1410); 5. Ming Loyalists Flee to Taiwan (1661–83); 6. Battle of Chuanbi (1839); 7. Sino-French War (1883–84); 8. Qing Beiyang Fleet’s Defeat in the Battle of the Yellow Sea (1894); 9. Chinese Decision to Sink Nationalist Navy as Blockships (1937); 10. ‘Chongqing’ Mutiny Allowing the PLA to Cross the Yangzi River (1949); 11. The Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–55 and 1958); 12. China’s Decision to Take the Paracel Islands from South Vietnam (1974); 13. Missile Blockade: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995–96); 14. The EP-3 Standoff and Diplomatic Resolution (2001); Conclusion: The Influence of History on the Formation of the Modern Chinese Navy; Appendices; Selected Bibliography; Index.

“Professor Elleman’s concise and highly readable descriptions of key naval encounters from the tenth through the twenty-first centuries provide admirable historical depth. This book will serve well as a useful overview for non-specialists and as a jumping-off point for readers who hope to explore specific aspects of China’s naval history in greater detail.”—Harold M. Tanner, Professor of Chinese History and Fellow, Military History Center, Department of History, University of North Texas, USA