SHASHOUJIAN:China’s “Assassin’s Mace” China’s “Assassin’s Mace”Concept
• Shashoujian Shashoujian or “assassin’s mace” was a term or “assassin’s mace” was a term
largely absent from American discussions about largely absent from American discussions about
Chinese military affairs until 1997. Chinese military affairs until 1997.
• After 1997, interest in and usage of the term After 1997, interest in and usage of the term
increased in the U.S., but knowledge remained increased in the U.S., but knowledge remained
very limited. very limited.
• A broad lack of American understanding of the A broad lack of American understanding of the
concept stimulated this research effort.