US-China proximate military operations in the maritime, air, and space domains

In recent years, the People’s Liberation Army has grown more capable, assertive, and willing to take risks, leading to a notable rise in the frequency, complexity, and significance of U.S.-China military encounters in the maritime, air, and space domains. As the United States and China continue to assert their national interests and regional and global ambitions, the proximity of their operations in these domains remains a considerable challenge. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, the potential for misunderstanding, miscalculation, and escalation makes managing diplomatic relations with Beijing ever more crucial.

On July 26, 2023, the Center for Space Policy and Strategy and the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings hosted a conversation with policy experts about the delicate balance between the two powers in these domains and the regional and wider strategic implications of their proximate operations.