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Christopher Sharman

Director China Maritime Studies Institute
Capt., U.S. Navy, Retired
Christopher Sharman faculty photo

Biography

Christopher Sharman directs the Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), the U.S. government’s dedicated research center focused on China’s military maritime developments. His 30-year Navy career included forward-deployed operations in Japan, diplomatic postings as Navy attaché in Beijing and Hanoi, and a capstone role coordinating Intelligence Community efforts during the 2022 Taiwan Strait crisis. A prolific author drawing on Chinese-language open-source materials, his analysis informs senior U.S. decision-makers navigating Indo-Pacific security risks. Retired Navy Captain. ODNI Exceptional Service Medal. Two-time Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement.

Contact Information

(401) 856-6019
https://usnwc.edu/Research-and-Wargaming/Research-Centers/China-Maritime-Studies-Institute

Areas of Expertise

  • China
  • China Maritime Studies Institute
  • Intel
  • National Security
  • South China Sea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Taiwan

Professional Highlights

2020

Senior Strategist for the National Intelligence Manager for East Asia

Synchronized efforts of the Intelligence Community in response to the Speaker of the House visit to Taiwan (2022) and for the Taiwan President's transit of the United States (2023).
2018

First Post Vietnam War Aircraft Carrier Visit

Coordinated all aspects of the first post Vietnam War aircraft carrier visit to Vietnam in 2018.
2016

Navy Attaché in Vietnam

Diplomatic assignments as the Navy attaché in Vietnam (2016-2019).
2009

Navy Attaché in China

Diplomatic assignments as the Navy attaché in China (2009-2012).
2001

China Advisor to PACOM Commander

China advisor to PACOM Commander during 2001 EP-3 crisis.
1996

USS INDEPENDENCE

Embarked aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE and stationed off the coast of Taiwan during the 1996 China-Taiwan crisis.

Education

M.S., National War College, 2015, National Strategic Studies

M.A., Naval Postgraduate School, 1999, National Security Affairs

National Security Affairs Fellow, Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, 2019-2020

Diploma from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (2006)

Graduate of the Defense Language Institute for Japanese (2000), Mandarin Chinese (2008), and Vietnamese (2016).

C.V. or Resume

Research Contributions and Publications

China Moves Out: Stepping Stones Toward A New Maritime Strategy
Institute of National Strategic Studies, April 2015

Publications by this Professor

Awards and Decorations

Defense Superior Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal
4 Medals

Meritorious Service Medal
2 Medals

Joint Service Commendation Medal
2 Medals

Joint Service Achievement Medal
2 Medals

Navy Achievement Medal
2 Medals

Numerous campaign and service medals and ribbons.

Other Honors

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Exceptional Service Medal
2023

Distinguished Graduate from the National War College

National Defense University President’s Award for Excellence in Writing
Recipient, 2015

2016 and 2021 Navy League: “Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement”

The Department of Defense 2010-2011 Attaché of the Year

Admiral Edwin T. Layton Award for superior leadership and mentorship

Herman Dworkin Award for Maritime Analytic Excellence
2013

External Memberships and Associations

Naval Intelligence Professionals (NIP)

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