The book emanates from the geopolitical and geo-economic churning and transformations set in motion by the unprecedented economic rise of China resulting in its expanding political influence across the region and the world. In both the economic and the security realms, the United States and China alike are increasingly seen contesting in shaping the Indo-Pacific regional order to their own advantage.
This book unfolds the contours and dimensions of China’s responses to various multilateral initiatives of the US and its friends and allies like Japan, Australia, and India and, to some extent, even ASEAN. While China’s medium-term strategy envisages a non-hostile external environment in order to focus on domestic priorities; reducing dependence of littoral nations of the Indo-Pacific region on America while increasing their engagement and dependence on China. China's expanding reach and influence overseas has resulted in US-led initiatives being China-focused inviting a response from China where adverse reactions have become increasingly palpable.
Author(s): Swaran Singh, Reena Marwah
Series: Palgrave Series in Asia and Pacific Studies
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 264
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgements
Praise for China and the Indo-Pacific
Contents
Editors and Contributors
About the Editors
Contributors
Abbreviations
List of Tables
1 China’s Engagement and the Indo-Pacific
Introduction
The China-Led Transition of Asia–Pacific
China’s Engagement by Other Stakeholders
In This Volume…
References
2 Decoding ‘Sovereign Strategic Networks’ in the Indo-Pacific: Contesting China’s ‘Ascendant-Rise’
Introduction
Strategic Competition: Cooperative Vistas to Convergent Axes?
The Economic Prosperity Network: A ‘Non-China’ Economic Security Compact
Challenging Predatory Strategic-Capacitation: The Blue Dot Network
Democratizing Commoditized Economy: Supply Chains Resilience Initiative
Sanctity of ‘Data-Tech’: ‘G7’, ‘D10’ or ‘T10’?
‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’: Mainstreaming Sustainable Development
Conclusion
References
3 US–China Strategic Competition: Through the Matrix of Complex Interdependence
Introduction
Asymmetries and Interdependence
US Presence in the Indo-Pacific
Shifting Complex Interdependence Axis
Dissecting Its Theoretical Underpinning
Concluding Remarks
References
4 Sino-Japanese Relations: Drivers and Obstacles in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision
Introduction
China’s ‘New Era’ Under Xi Jinping
The Precarious Seikei Bunri Formula
Critical Junctures in Sino-Japanese Relations
Characteristics and Approaches of the FOIP
China Factor in Japan’s FOIP Vision
Conclusion
References
5 ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific: Motivations, Opportunities, and Challenges
Introduction
One Construct, Multiple Interpretations
Indonesia’s Contribution to the AOIP
The Geopolitics of the AOIP
China and ASEAN Centrality
ASEAN Unity and Its China Challenge
Conclusion
References
6 China in EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Introduction
Why EU Needs to Join the Indo-Pacific?
Untangling EU’s China Vision
EU vs. Its Member States
Complexities of the EU–China Relationship
Can Indo-Pacific Solve China–EU Problems?
China in the Making of the Indo-Pacific
EU’s “Middle-Ground” Approach
Tailpiece: What About Post-Brexit UK?
Conclusion
References
7 Evolving Indo-Pacific Multilateralism: China Factor in Australia’s Perspectives
Australia as a Middle Power
Multilateralism in Australia's Defence and Foreign Policy
China Factor in Australia’s Multilateralism
Multilateralism in Middle Powers’ Defence Strategies
Multilateralism and Middle Powers’ Economic Strategies
China and the Evolving Regional Architecture
Conclusion
References
8 The Community of Shared Futures: China’s Counter to Indo-Pacific Narratives
Introduction
Constructed and Contested Ideas in-the-Making
Ideas of Indo-Pacific: Contestations and Convergences
China’s Asia–Pacific Policy
Factors and Forces Guiding China’s CSF
CSF and Changing of the Normative Dynamics
Motivations For China’s CSF
From Harmonious World to CSF
From Defensive to Proactive
Intellectual Origins of CSF
CSF in China’s Vision of the Indo-Pacific
Chinese Critique of the Indo-Pacific
Conclusion
References
9 China’s Regional Engagement and Quad: Mapping Conceptual Dynamics
Introduction
Mapping the Conceptual Dynamics
Maritime Silk Road vis-à-vis the Quad
Mapping China’s Supply Chain Networks
China’s Expanding Maritime Footprint
China’s Vaccine Diplomacy
Conclusion
References
10 China’s Engagement with the Pacific Islands
Introduction
China’s Engagement with Pacific Islands
Competition Between China and Taiwan
China and Solomon Islands
Conclusion
References
11 China’s Maneuvers in South Asia
Introduction
South Asia: A Region of Significance for China
SAARC—Limited Relevance and Outreach
China’s All-Pervasive Engagement in South Asia
China’s Influence: A Bilateral Perspective
India and China: Unresolved Borders
China: Afghanistan and Pakistan as Special Friends
Bhutan and Nepal: Small Nations Between Two Large Neighbors
Bangladesh and China: A Strengthening Relationship
Sino-Sri Lanka Relations: An Impacted Island
Maldives and China: Influence in the Indian Ocean
Conclusion
References
Index
