Australia and the South China Sea
Publication Name
Security Dynamics in the South China Sea: Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract
Australia regards the South China Sea as critical in its relationship with China and for the future security and stability of the region. Australia’s policies and presence in the South China Sea are key to its overall effort in managing China’s rise. Australia faces the reality that China has clear ambitions to shape the strategic environment in its own interests. Here the South China Sea is significant both symbolically and practically. First, Australia believes it has a vital interest in the South China Sea not becoming a “closed sea” with the accompanying potential for China to interfere with or completely prevent both naval and commercial movements by the units of other states. Second, in the wider context, China cannot be allowed to flout provisions of international law to which it has itself agreed (and in whose formulation China was involved) and do so through coercion of smaller states. While trying to prevent such behavior becoming a “learned” tendency, Australia must nevertheless be realistic about China’s ability, given its newfound soft and hard power, to shape the strategic environment in legitimate ways. Australia must thus achieve a balance between adapting to the results of this shaping and resisting Chinese initiatives which undermine the security and stability of the region. It must also achieve a balance between its alliance with the United States and its other partnerships in the region - and do this as it also balances its purely economic interests against the realities of an uncertain strategic future.
Open Access Status
This publication is not available as open access
First Page
286
Last Page
302