Costliest Pearl: China's Struggle for India's Ocean

China's re-entry into the Indian Ocean after 600 years is part of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road megaproject, leading to a new and dangerous confrontation with an informal alliance of India, the US, France, Australia, and Japan. Bertil Lintner profiles the key players, examines the economic and naval balance of power, and scrutinizes New Delhi and Beijing's intense competition for the allegiance of small island nations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2019
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The strategic significance of the Indian Ocean to China is immeasurable, given the vast array of resources that traverse its waters. From oil and minerals to container traffic, the Indian Ocean plays a vital role in China's economic and geopolitical interests. However, despite its importance, China has been largely absent from the region since the fifteenth century, when Admiral Zheng He led his fleet of ships on a pioneering exploration and mapping expedition.

Beijing's re-entry into the Indian Ocean after a hiatus of 600 years is a significant component of President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road initiative. This initiative involves massive investments in infrastructure projects across the Ocean rim, including the construction of a military base in Djibouti. This move has sparked a new and potentially dangerous confrontation, pitting China against an informal alliance of India, the United States, France, Australia, and Japan, Beijing's arch-rival in the Asia-Pacific.

In his book, "The Contest for the Indian Ocean," Bertil Lintner delves into this captivating story, profiling the key players, examining the economic and naval balance of power, and scrutinizing the intense competition between New Delhi and Beijing for the allegiance of small island nations. China's presence in the Indian Ocean is here to stay, and the entry of big-power politics into this sensitive maritime region will have far-reaching consequences for the future.

The Indian Ocean is a vital crossroads for global trade, with over 40% of the world's shipping passing through its waters. It is also home to important oil and gas reserves, as well as a rich diversity of marine life. The region is also strategically important for military operations, with several countries in the region having military bases or conducting naval exercises.

China's re-entry into the Indian Ocean has raised concerns among some countries in the region, particularly those with close ties to the United States or Japan. Some countries in the region have also expressed concerns about China's military expansion and its aggressive stance towards its neighbors.

Despite these concerns, China has made clear that it intends to remain a significant player in the Indian Ocean region. Beijing has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in the region, including ports, highways, and power plants. China has also established close military ties with several countries in the region, including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

In conclusion, the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean to China cannot be underestimated. China's re-entry into the region after a hiatus of 600 years is part of President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road initiative, which involves massive investments in infrastructure projects and military ties with several countries in the region. While China's presence in the Indian Ocean has raised concerns among some countries, it is clear that China intends to remain a significant player in the region for the long term. The entry of big-power politics into this sensitive maritime region will have far-reaching consequences for the future of global trade, security, and geopolitics.

Weight: 548g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849049962