The purpose of the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) is to advance understanding of the capabilities, operating concepts, and limitations of China's aerospace forces, which encompass the PLA Air Force (PLAAF), Naval Aviation, Rocket Force and space assets. Created at the initiative of the Director, Strategy, Concepts, and Assessments, Headquarters of the United States Air Force (USAF), CASI aims to fill a niche in the China research community by providing high quality, unclassified research on Chinese aerospace developments in the context of U.S. strategic imperatives in the Asia-Pacific region.