Murasheva Galina

China in South-East Asia and in the South China Sea: tradition or answer to challenges of today?

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2012, №18, 16-46

 
Annotation: China’s policy in the region is a combination of “soft” and “hard” power with the first one being preferable for China in its relations with the neighbor- countries and with the parties to the islands’ sovereignty wrangle in the South China Sea. China is trying to get its neighbors in the South China Sea involved in its economic orbit and to make “strategic” trade and economic cooperation a priority of bilateral relations. As for the sea territorial disputes the Chinese prefer to put them aside and leave for the future generations. In its relations with the US in South-East Asia China refrains from confrontation staying in the framework of partnership with simultaneously strengthening its positions in the region. Today the main aim of China’s strategy in South-East Asia and in the South China Sea is to bring its geopolitical state in line with its huge economic potentialities and ever growing maritime might. In this strategy the South China Sea has special role because, according to some experts, the country which controls it will be the dominating maritime power in East Asia.

Keywords: CHINA, SOUTH-EAST ASIA, SOUTH CHINA SEA, FOREIGN STRATEGY, MARITIME POLICY