China's Soft Power/Economic Power Approaches
To fully understand the strategic trajectory of the People's Republic of China (PRC), researchers must conduct an analysis of China's use of soft power, particularly focusing on its use of economic power. As the PRC leverages these economic approaches to increase its footprint around the world, how does China's broader global expansion impact the aerospace domain?
- Abramowicz, Jared, "China, the U.S.' Pacing Challenge or the New World's Superpower?" AF Fellows paper, 2024, 2 pgs.
- Adamson, Maj. Scott, D., "Congress and the War Powers: A Review of Post 9/11 Military Action in Africa," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 23 pgs.
- Agosto-DaFonseca, Gustavo, "A Race for Rare Earths: Reducing US Vulnerabilities to China's Monopoly of Rare Earth Elements," GCPME thesis, 2021, 43 pgs.
- Ahern, John J., "China 2100: Hegemonic Goals and the Current World Order," AWC PSP, 2022, 63 pgs.
- Allen, Maj. David, "Countering China's Rare Earth Resource Grab in Africa," eSchool thesis, 2020, 50 pgs.
- Arrington, Gabe, "China and the Digital Silk Road," Air Force Fellows Paper, 2022, 2 pgs.
- Arrington, Gabe, "America Needs A Global Approach to Maritime and Telecommunications Strategies," Air Force Fellows Paper, 2022, 2 pgs.
- Asisian, Njdeh, "Iran, China and the Future World Order: Unipolarity or Multipolarity?" published as an AU Press Kenney Paper on Indo-Pacific Security Studies, 2022, 48 pgs.
- Ayala, Maj. Alexis R., "Relying on China's Rare Earths Supply Can be Dangerous for the U.S.," GCPME thesis, 2023, 37 pgs.
- Barber, Gregory, "Unmet Expectations: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Limits of Chinese Strategic Investment," AWC PSP, 2021, 35 pgs.
- Bearden, LTC Steven R., "Overseas Chinese Populations: The People's Republic of China's Social Leverage in Africa," AWC PSP, 2022, 34 pgs.
- Brandt, Samuel J., "China's Soft Power: Building Friction against U.S. Influence in the Indo-Pacific Region," Air Force Global College thesis, 2025, 49 pgs.
- Burgi, LCDR Gabriel, "As Great Power Competition Rages On, Cultural Heritage is at Risk," ACSC elective paper, 2019, 5 pgs.
- Carson, Lt. Col. Keith, "White Paper on Chinese Economic and Military Coercion," AWC elective paper, 2023, 10 pgs.
- Cline, Maj. Bradley P., "Chinese Expansion: How the Chinese Intend to Use Afghanistan to Win Great Power Competition," GCPME thesis, 2022, 36 pgs.
- Cox, Maj. Christopher, "Military Acquisitions in a World with Rising Chinese Control," AF Fellows Paper, 2020, 63 pgs.
- Diaz, Lt. Col. Leria, "China in the Americas: Undermining Sovereignty through IUU Fishing in the High Seas," AWC PSP, 2021, 25 pgs.
- Frost, Maj. Ryan S., "Collision Course with China: Considerations for Policymakers in the Western Hemisphere," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 45 pgs.
- Gendron, Col. Jonathan, "The Race to Stabilize Southeast Asia," AWC Regional Security Studies Paper, 2024, 7 pgs.
- Hall, Byron S., "Understanding the US-PRC Dyad: A Regional Perspective," SAASS thesis, 2020, 124 pgs.
- Haque, Capt. Ariful, "Accelerate Change or Lose Bangladesh," SOS AUAR (ISR) paper, 2022, 15 pgs.
- Hasson, Lt. Col. Kathleen, "The Chinese Communist Party's Insidious Infiltration," AWC PSP, 2021, 26 pgs.
- Hess, Lt. Col. Alexander, "Can China Feed Itself Peacefully? China's Food Security and the Potential for International Conflict," SAASS thesis, 2022, 74 pgs.
- Hillermann, Maj. Peter, "Non-State Actors in the Great Power Competition: Huawei Leads the Charge," GCPME thesis, 2025, 38 pgs.
- Hofferman, Maj. Nathan R., "India: A Stabilizing Partner to Ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 25 pgs.
- Holland, Gary, "Slowing China's Competitive Advance with Strategic Messaging," Air War College PSP, 2021, 38 pgs.
- Kitzke, Lt. Col. Nathan, "Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean," RSS Paper, AWC 2023, 9 pgs.
- Kostrubala, Col. Kaz, "China-Taiwan Reunification and Impacts to the Asia-Pacific Region," AWC Regional Security Studies Paper, 2024, 9 pgs.
- Lisenbee II, Lt. Col. Caleb, "LinkedIn Espionage: Foreign Adversaries Recruiting Current & Former DOD Members under the Guise of Consulting on LinkedIn," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2024, 37 pgs. Winner of the AWC Intelligence Community Award
- Martin, Maj. Morgan A. and Maj. Clinton J. Williamson, "Mapping Chinese Influence in Hollywood," published as an AU Press Kenney Paper in Indo-Pacific Security Studies, 2023, 101 pgs.
- Martinez, Col. Eloy, "Australia's Balancing Act: Navigating China's Influence in the Indo-Pacific Region," AWC Regional Security Studies Paper, 2024, 7 pgs.
- Matthys, Maj. Shawna, "China's Hidden Talent: The Thousand Talent Plan," ACSC elective paper, 2022, 10 pgs.
- Mobley, Terry, "The Belt and Road Initiative: Insights from China's Backyard," AWC PSP, 2019, 33 pgs.
- Moore, Lt. Col. Tytonia S., "The Paradox of the China Threat," AWC Strategic Studies paper, 2019, 26 pgs.
- Norris, Lt. Col. Victor, "Countering Unrestricted Warfare: Preparing to Compete against China's Actual Strategy," AWC PSP, 2020, 37 pgs. Prize Winner: Douhet-Mitchell International Airpower Trophy
- Olagbemiro, Lt. Col. Albert, "The Utility of Cryptocurrency as a Geo-Economic Tool in Pursuit of U.S. National Interests," AWC Strategic Studies Paper (Grand Strategy Seminar), 2020, 26 pgs.
- Onstad, Katherine, "Performing Panda: Chinese Economic Coercion in the Era of Xi Jinping," SAASS Thesis, 2023, 116 pgs.
- Peacock, Col. Robert, "China's Three Warfares: Breaking Ideological Boundaries," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2019, 30 pgs.
- Perez, Maj. Lupersio, "The Dragon in the Backyard: Unveiling China's Strategy in Latin America," AFGC thesis, 2025, 52 pgs.
- Perez answers this by demonstrating how the PRC masterfully employs the diplomatic, information, military, and economic (D.I.M.E.) instruments of national power in Latin America to advance its global hegemony. Economically, China fills the voids left by the US by funding massive infrastructure projects—such as deep-water ports, hydroelectric dams, and 5G telecommunications networks. These projects often leave Latin American nations with predatory debt that China exploits for resource-backed bartering to gain access to oil and critical minerals necessary for semiconductor manufacturing. Perez also highlights that China leverages this economic dominance to enforce its "One China" policy, effectively forcing Latin American nations to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan in order to maintain trade relations with Beijing. Regarding soft power, Perez explains how China operates over 45 Confucius Institutes across the region (including 12 in Brazil alone), which offer language and cultural programs designed to indoctrinate students with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) philosophy and cultivate relationships with local politicians, quietly weaving Chinese influence into future generations.
- Rajosefa, Maj Laura, French Air Force, "The Future of Strategic Competition in the Sahel Region: Placing Partnership First," ACSC elective paper, 2022, 51 pgs.
-
Reynolds, Rachel L., "Leapfrogs and Shortcuts: Paths to Technological Performance on US and Chinese Strategic Evolutionary Landscapes," SAASS thesis, 2020, 101 pgs.
- Rowland, Lt. Col. Daniel T., "Chinese Security Cooperation Activities: Trends and Implications for US Policy," ACSC paper, 2021.
- Russo, Joel A. "BRICS Blunting Impacts on US Sanctions: Subverting US Economic Power," AF Global College thesis, 2024. 36. pgs.
- Sasaki, Fumiko, "A Risk-Benefit Analysis of China's Belt and Road Initiative Spatial Information Corridor: Implications for Chinese Global Expansion and US Strategy," published as an AU Press Kenney Paper on Indo-Pacific Security Studies, 2022, 114 pgs.
- Smith, Major Michael D., "Dynamic Force Employment in the Indo-Pacific: Making a Case for Air Force Special Tactics," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 69 pgs.
- Somers, Col. Paul, "The Fight for Territorial Legitimacy within the South China Sea--How China's Militarization Could Shape the Future of the Region," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 28 pgs.
- Stevens, Maj. Philip J., "Reshaping Global Dynamics: US Strategies in Response to China's Military Build-Up in Eastern Africa," GCPME paper, 2024, 37 pgs.
- Swigart, CDR John, "China's Influence in the Philippines," AWC RSS Paper, 2023, 7 pgs.
- Wentink, Mark A., "DPRK Economy and Regime Stability," AWC PSP, 2021, 54 pgs.
- Werner, Major Tiffany, "China's Demographic Disaster: Risk and Opportunity," ACSC elective paper, 2020, 17 pgs.
- Wetherell, Major David, "State and Capital Allocations in China as Strategic Intelligence," ACSC paper, 2022, 24 pgs.
- Yoakley, Lt. Col. William D., "Beneath the Surface: China's Subtle, Tightening Grip on Filipino Affairs," AWC RSS Paper, 2023, 8 pgs.
-
- Ackley, Maj. Rachel, "Chinese Soft Power Marshalling Military Might into USSOUTHCOM," GCPME 2024, 71 pgs.
- Bortnem, Col. Mark, "Responding to Reality: Changing US Marine Corps Aviation Strategy in the Pacific Command Area of Responsibility," AWC PSP, 2021, 28 pgs.
- Jones, Capt. Michael, "Gray Zone Conflict in Space: A South China Sea Case Study," SOS AUAR (Ideas and Weapons), 2020, 11 pgs.
- Rowland, Lt. Col. Daniel T., "Chinese Security Cooperation Activities: Trends and Implications for US Policy," ACSC paper, 2021.
- Smith, Maj. Michael D., "Dynamic Force Employment in the Indo-Pacific: Making a Case for Air Force Special Tactics," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 69 pgs.
- Somers, Col. Paul, "The Fight for Territorial Legitimacy within the South China Sea--How China's Militarization Could Shape the Future of the Region," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 28 pgs.