China's Maritime Security Strategy: The Evolution of a Growing Sea Power

The book explores China's maritime security strategy, which has shifted from constrained to assertive due to Beijing's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It suggests that while maritime actors and naval capability have provided depth to the strategy, national strategic guidelines from each generation of Chinese leadership have determined the overall direction. China's maritime agenda prioritizes territorial integrity, development, and regional and international maritime cooperation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The evolution of China's maritime security strategy is a subject of thorough examination in this comprehensive work. It delves into the factors that have driven China to transition from a constrained to a more assertive approach in safeguarding its maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. While China has historically been a relatively passive player in maritime security, recent years have seen Beijing embark on a proactive policy agenda to secure its maritime rights and interests. This growing influence in the region has raised concerns among other countries about China's evolving sea power.

To address these concerns, this book provides a comprehensive overview of China's maritime security strategy from the era of Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping. It explores the various dimensions of China's maritime power, including the involvement of maritime actors, the development of naval capability, and the national strategic guidelines set by each generation of Chinese leadership.

Through an in-depth analysis, the book identifies three key priorities for China's maritime agenda: territorial integrity, development, and regional and international maritime cooperation. Territorial integrity is considered the cornerstone of China's maritime strategy, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial claims. Development is another critical aspect, as China seeks to expand its economic and technological capabilities in the maritime domain. Regional and international maritime cooperation is seen as a means to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, while also advancing China's interests.

The findings of this book shed light on China's multidimensional maritime power as both assertive and cooperative. China's assertive stance is evident in its efforts to protect its territorial claims and uphold its sovereignty in the South China Sea. At the same time, China is actively engaged in regional and international maritime cooperation, building partnerships and fostering mutual understanding with other countries in the region.

This book will be of immense interest to students of naval strategy, maritime security, Chinese politics, and International Relations. It offers valuable insights into China's evolving maritime strategy and its implications for the broader geopolitical landscape. By examining the factors that have shaped China's maritime security approach, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that China faces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367745707