Asknowledgments
Michael Marti and I are indebted to the distinguished contributors to
this volume for revising and updating for publication their papers from
an October 2001 National Defense University (NDU) conference. David
Shambaugh graciously provided sound organizational suggestions and a new
essay for the book that assesses the sweeping changes in the high
command of the PLA over the past few years.
Dr. Marti orchestrated the conference and the initial preparation of the
book. He was ably assisted in these efforts by the China CenterÕs
research assistants, John Kemmer, then a student at the State University
of New York at Binghamton, and Melanie Ziarko, then a student at
Wittenberg University. Linda Vaughn of the staff of the Institute for
National Strategic Studies (INSS) provided outstanding graphic and
administrative support for the conference. After Dr. Marti returned to
his position with the Department of Defense in the summer of 2002, I
took up the effort to complete the editing of the book. Howard Krawitz,
distinguished visiting fellow in INSS and a contributor to the volume,
provided valuable advice in readying several chapters for publication.
Special thanks go to the editorial staff at NDU Press, who were
indispensable to the production of this volume. Jeffrey Smotherman and
Lisa Yambrick edited and proofread several drafts of the entire
manuscript with great skill and dedication under the supervision of
George Maerz and William Bode. Robert Silano, Director of Publications,
oversaw the process from beginning to end. William Rawley of the U.S.
Government Printing Office created the cover and managed the typography
and design of the book.
We have benefited greatly from our collaboration with a number of the
leading American scholars of China and Chinese military affairs.
However, in the end, we alone bear responsibility for the final product.
Stephen J. Flanagan
Director, Institute for National Strategic Studies and
Vice President for Research
National Defense University
