Maritime Asia: A Chinese Perspective

China is in the midst of a substantial economic and military rise in its relative power, although it does not aspire to play a hegemonic or superpower role. Much of this rise is essentially maritime but with this comes apprehensions of vulnerability. China’s dependence on energy supplies and other commodities from abroad and its need to export its manufactured goods mean that safe and secure shipping is critical to its peace and prosperity. Because this shipping is especially vulnerable to turbulence in critical choke points such as the Straits of Malacca and Hormuz, China is acutely sensitive to the prospect of disorder and American reactions in these regions. Against this background it needs to develop its maritime power in order to defend its interests.