by Jagmeet Bawa and Balinder Singh 20 August 2023
Introduction
The complexities of maritime territorial claims, focus on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles from a country’s baseline. Sovereign rights over the territorial sea (12 nautical miles) and natural resources within the EEZ are crucial. However, countries often challenge norms by asserting claims over uninhabited islands far from their shores. China, notably, has extended claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea, constructing artificial islands to bolster both military power and territorial assertions. This expansion, termed “maritime territorialization,” raises concerns, particularly in Southeast Asia, as China’s actions threaten regional stability and interests. The intricacies of China’s expansion can be observed across various maritime zones (Marine Insight, June 26, 2023).
Background of China’s maritime expansion
A pivotal nucleus of China’s maritime expansion centers on the South China Sea, an enclave rich in natural resources and pivotal as a maritime trade artery. China propounds historical sovereignty over a substantial portion of the South China Sea via its “Nine-Dash Line” assertion, intersecting claims posed by neighboring nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Given China’s burgeoning export-driven economy, maritime trade acquires paramount significance. In consequence, Beijing espouses the safeguarding of its maritime communication routes, encompassing pivotal passageways such as the Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait, and Lombok Strait major conduits for the flow of global trade. Geopolitical Aspirations: China’s maritime expansion dovetails with its broader geopolitical aspirations, signifying its pursuit of regional and global preeminence. This endeavor is emblematic of China’s intent to project influence and challenge the historical supremacy of Western powers. Moreover, this expansion aligns coherently with China’s sweeping Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an expansive infrastructure and connectivity blueprint designed to catalyze trade and connectivity across continents.
China has channelled significant investments into the modernization of its naval capabilities, marked by the construction of advanced warships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and naval bases. This modernization drive is engineered to augment its capacity to shield maritime interests, assert territorial claims, and adeptly respond to potential security exigencies. The ramifications of China’s maritime expansion have galvanized apprehensions among neighboring states, thereby sparking tensions and contentions pertaining to territorial assertions and maritime boundaries. In light of these concerns, regional nations have undertaken measures encompassing the fortification of defense alliances, diplomatic dialogues, and the reinforcement of indigenous naval capabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) constitutes a pivotal legal scaffold governing maritime rights and delimitations. China’s maritime claims have become subjects of contestation by adjacent nations, eliciting queries regarding compliance with international jurisprudence. China’s maritime expansion crystallizes as a multifaceted phenomenon propelled by an intricate interplay of historical, economic, geopolitical, and security facets. The implications thereof extend to reverberate across regional stability, international entanglements, and the equilibrium of power within the Indo-Pacific expanse and beyond (Lexology, October 28, 2021).
China’s Maritime Ambitions
China’s strategic ambitions are evidenced by its pursuit of multiple naval bases, showcasing a proactive approach to enhancing its military capabilities. Notable examples include the Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka, the Autonomous Port of Kribi in Cameroon, the Bayport Terminal in Israel, and the Port of Kaia in Angola, reflecting substantial investments. China has also strategically positioned military installations in various locations, augmenting its territorial presence in areas such as Oman, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles. The Ream Naval Base in Cambodia, depicted through satellite imagery, suggests the potential for a significant expansion capable of accommodating large warships, thus extending China’s maritime reach. This strategic port network encircling India contributes to the expansion of China’s naval capabilities and potential transformation into a formidable blue-water force, potentially surpassing the US Navy in size by 2035. However, this development poses challenges for other nations, as China’s military installations challenge the status quo in contested regions like the South China Sea, hinting at future US-China naval interactions. China’s maritime ambitions signify a dynamic and multifaceted pursuit, shaped by historical echoes, economic imperatives, geopolitical aspirations, and security considerations. These ambitions wield profound ramifications for regional stability, global interactions, and the evolving equilibrium of power within maritime realms (Wooley, 2023).
Significance of analysing emerging security concerns
The portrayal of an entity as a military threat by the US government prompts policy responses aligned with this perception, leading to a potential military escalation. This dynamic raises the concept of the security dilemma, where states’ efforts to secure themselves inadvertently create insecurity for others. China’s pursuit of ports to bolster its naval capabilities, similar to the US, echoes this dilemma, with both nations speculating about each other’s actions. Amid limited information, the US and India’s security concerns further exacerbate the issue, compounded by other nations’ military expansion. China’s establishment of naval bases in response to perceived threats, including those in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, intensify insecurity and counter-hegemonic motives, underscoring the intricacies of the security dilemma in this context (CSIS, April 2, 2018).
Geopolitical implications of China’s maritime expansion
The geopolitical implications of China’s maritime expansion are far-reaching and multifaceted, reverberating across regional dynamics and global power structures. This expansion, characterized by the establishment of naval bases, acquisition of ports, and assertion of territorial claims, has profound consequences that shape international relations, security paradigms, and the distribution of influence in the maritime domain. At a regional level, China’s maritime ambitions have led to heightened tensions and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where its territorial claims intersect with those of neighboring countries. This has triggered concerns among neighboring states, prompting them to strengthen defense alliances, engage in diplomatic negotiations, and enhance their own naval capabilities. The resulting contestations pose a challenge to regional stability and contribute to an arms race, potentially leading to military escalation.
On a broader scale, China’s maritime expansion has sparked geopolitical rivalries with traditional maritime powers, particularly the United States. As China seeks to project influence and challenge Western dominance, it triggers a strategic competition that encompasses not only military posturing but also economic and diplomatic maneuvers. This power struggle extends beyond the maritime domain and influences global strategic alignments, trade relationships, and international institutions. China’s establishment of naval bases and ports in key maritime locations amplifies its reach and influence, enabling it to secure sea lines of communication, project power, and potentially coerce neighboring states. This expansion can disrupt the established balance of power, especially in regions of strategic significance such as the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. It also fuels concerns about China’s long-term intentions and its potential to reshape regional security dynamics. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a centerpiece of China’s maritime ambitions, further accentuates its geopolitical impact. By funding infrastructure projects and connectivity initiatives across continents, China gains not only economic leverage but also strategic footholds in crucial maritime regions. This connectivity enhances China’s ability to influence trade, shape political alignments, and extend its geopolitical clout beyond its immediate vicinity.
In response to China’s maritime expansion, countries around the world are recalibrating their foreign policies, forming alliances, and diversifying their security partnerships. The United States, for instance, has heightened its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, forging security agreements with regional allies and partners to counterbalance China’s growing influence. This geopolitical maneuvering contributes to an intricate web of alliances and alignments that define the contemporary global geopolitical landscape. China’s maritime expansion carries profound geopolitical implications that span regional tensions, global power dynamics, and strategic rivalries. As China asserts its presence and influence across vital maritime regions, the resulting geopolitical shifts have ripple effects that reshape international relations, security arrangements, and the balance of power, with enduring consequences for the stability and order of the global maritime domain (Atlantic Council, August 16, 2023).
Conclusion
China’s aggressive expansionist goals are in a serious manner. The international community should not underestimate China’s ambitions and should respond with effective measures to counteract them. China has already taken control of numerous areas. In essence, the article is urging countries to recognize the severity of China’s actions, collaborate to counter its expansionism, and not underestimate the potential risks of inaction. China’s creation of naval bases has raised feelings of insecurity, suggesting it’s a reaction to perceived threats and an attempt to counterbalance the dominant influence of the US. The concept of counter-hegemony is crucial here, as it relates to China’s maritime ports and the security dilemma, offering insight into this complex interplay of power dynamics.
Author bio
- Jagmeet Bawa, Head Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharmshala, India. Email: jagmeet.bawa@gmail.com
- Balinder Singh (Ph.D. Scholar), Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharmshala, India. Email: balinder15pol@gmail.com
References
Atlantic Council. (August 16, 2023). Indian Ocean partnerships are key to countering China’s maritime ambitions. Available online: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/indian-ocean-partnerships-counter-china/. (Accessed on 17 August 2023).
CSIS. (April 2, 2018). Security Implications of China’s Military Presence in the Indian Ocean. Available online: https://www.csis.org/analysis/security-implications-chinas-military-presence-indian-ocean. (Accessed on 17 August 2023).
Lexology. (October 28, 2021). China’s maritime law in the South China Sea. Available online: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9a89c8b3-9370-4f5b-9aa1-383824bc875a. (Accessed on 17 August 2023).
Marine Insight. (June 26, 2023). Understanding International Waters: Boundaries, Jurisdiction, And Legal Implications. Available online: https://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/understanding-international-waters-boundaries-jurisdiction-and-legal-implications/. (Accessed on 17 August 2023).
Wooley, A. (2023). Harboring Global Ambitions China’s Ports Footprint and Implications for Future Overseas Naval Bases. Available online: https://docs.aiddata.org/reports/harboring-global-ambitions/Harboring_Global_ambitions.pdf. (Accessed on 17 August 2023).