A brief introduction to Qiu Mahan's theory of sea power

Mahan's sea power theory holds that a country based on trade (referring to commodity export) must control the ocean. Seizing and maintaining sea power, especially the sea power on the main traffic lines related to national interests and overseas trade, is the main factor for the country's prosperity and strength. To seize and maintain the right to control the sea, we must have the dominant maritime strength, that is, a strong fleet and merchant fleet and a developed base network. He analyzed the influence of a country's geographical position, natural environment, territorial scope, population, national character and government policies (including the policy of developing maritime power) on sea power from a strategic point of view, and put forward that naval strategy is to establish and strengthen maritime power in peacetime and wartime to achieve the strategic goal of the country. In his view, the way to seize the sea power is the decisive battle of the fleet and the blockade of the sea, and the only way to completely seize the sea power is the decisive battle of the fleet. He emphasized the concentration of forces as the basic operational principle and the main means to implement the naval strategy. He advocated that the United States should establish a powerful ocean fleet, first controlling the Caribbean and the isthmus of Central America, and then further controlling other oceans. It also advocates that the United States should "cooperate" with other Pacific powers in order to gain benefits and compete for the China market.