China in the Cyber Domain

Contents: Introduction. 1. Information, Cyber and Local Warfare. 2. Cyber-Informatization and Evolution of Chinese Concepts of War. 3. Concepts and Doctrines of Cyber Warfare. 4. Organisations Dealing with Cyber Domain. 5. Signals Intelligence, Computer Network Defence and Electronic Countermeasures Organisations. 6. China’s Management of Cyber Security. 7. China’s Cyber Espionage Activities. 8. China’s Cyber-Influence Operations. 9. Military Civil Fusion. 10. China’s Limitations and Vulnerabilities in Cyberspace. 11. China’s Expanding Role in International Cyber Order. Conclusion. Index.

China is developing cyber capacities in pursuit of its economic, political and strategic objectives. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China differs considerably from its Western counterparts in its approach to cyber and network operations. It thinks that cyber and network operations occur in an information domain.

Along with the technical aspects of cyber operations, the PLA combines psychological warfare in manipulating public opinion, media warfare and the legal warfare that influences legal arguments to strengthen China’s diplomatic and security position.

China has undertaken a major transformation of the PLA in 2015.

This book takes a holistic look at China’s activities in cyber space which also includes its Cyber Espionage Activities, Cyber Influence Operations, Military Civil Fusion and its expanding role in international cyber order.