China’s Strategic Outlook: Challenges, Force Postures and the Future of Security in Pacific

Abstract

The strategic landscape of first decade of the 21st century has largely been defined by four factors. First is the United States intervention and subsequent quagmire in the Islamic theatre i.e. the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Second, the resurgence of Russia’s regional influence in the former Soviet space, third, the rise of China as regional power in Asia – Pacific region. Fourth is the global financial crisis which threatens the very basis of the international liberal order.

Trends in the last two decades suggest a sustained rise of China on the geopolitical map of the world. Recently, China with its $ 5 trillion GDP has surpassed Japan as number two economy in the world. China has also embarked on a military modernization program and its symbolic, yet important expression was sea trials of an air craft carrier by People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). These and other economic developments have led some experts to believe that there is a “shift” of power from West to East.

The American strategic drive towards Asia –Pacific region has the potential to complicate China’s regional position in the region. The system of alliances that United States has woven in the region spanning from North East Asia to South East Asia supplemented by forward carrier based military foot print enables it to limit the geography of Chinese regional power.