14.3 China's approach to regional and international security issues
3 min read•august 9, 2024
China's approach to regional and international security issues reflects its growing global influence. From cooperation through the to cyber security initiatives, China seeks to shape regional dynamics and protect its interests.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the North Korean nuclear crisis highlight China's complex security challenges. Beijing balances asserting its claims with maintaining regional stability, while adapting its foreign policy principles to an evolving global landscape.
Regional Security Cooperation
Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Counter-terrorism
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- Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) established in 2001 promotes regional security and economic cooperation
- SCO members include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
- Counter-terrorism cooperation forms a key focus of SCO activities
- Joint military exercises conducted regularly ()
- (RATS) coordinates intelligence sharing
- SCO expands influence by granting observer status to countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran
- China uses SCO to enhance its leadership role in Central Asia
Cyber Security and Economic Partnerships
- Cyber security emerges as a critical concern for China in regional cooperation
- China advocates for "" concept in international forums
- Promotes state control over internet governance and information flows
- (RCEP) signed in 2020 strengthens economic ties
- World's largest free trade agreement includes ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand
- Reduces tariffs and establishes common rules for e-commerce and intellectual property
- RCEP complements China's (BRI) in fostering regional economic integration
Territorial Disputes and Crises
South China Sea Conflicts
- involve competing claims from China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan
- China's "" claim encompasses majority of the South China Sea
- China constructs artificial islands and military installations to assert control
- Spratly Islands fortified with runways, radar facilities, and missile systems
- United States conducts freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) to challenge China's claims
- China proposes "dual-track" approach combining bilateral negotiations and ASEAN-China dialogue
North Korea Nuclear Crisis and Maritime Security
- poses significant regional security challenge
- China supports denuclearization but opposes harsh sanctions on North Korea
- Hosts to facilitate negotiations (China, US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia)
- concerns extend beyond South China Sea
- East China Sea disputes with Japan over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands
- China establishes (ADIZ) in East China Sea in 2013
- China expands naval capabilities to protect sea lanes and project power
- Develops blue-water navy with aircraft carriers and advanced submarines
- Establishes first overseas military base in Djibouti to support anti-piracy operations
Foreign Policy Principles
Non-interference and Peaceful Development
- forms cornerstone of China's foreign policy
- Emphasizes respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations
- Opposes external intervention in domestic affairs of countries
- /development doctrine articulated to assuage fears of China's growing power
- Stresses China's commitment to peaceful international environment
- Promotes win-win cooperation and mutual benefit in international relations
- China adapts these principles to changing global context
- Increases participation in UN peacekeeping operations
- Mediates in conflicts (Sudan-South Sudan, Afghanistan peace process)
Nuclear Non-proliferation and Arms Control
- Nuclear non-proliferation remains key focus of China's security policy
- Adheres to (NPT) as recognized nuclear weapon state
- Supports establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones (Central Asia, Southeast Asia)
- China maintains "no first use" policy for nuclear weapons
- Commits to
- Modernizes nuclear arsenal while keeping it relatively small compared to US and Russia
- Engages in arms control negotiations and agreements
- Participates in P5 (five permanent UN Security Council members) process on strategic stability
- Joins (TPNW) negotiations as observer
Key Terms to Review (21)
Air Defense Identification Zone: An Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is a designated area of airspace where military authorities require identification, location, and control of all aircraft for national security purposes. This term is crucial in understanding how countries, especially China, establish and enforce their airspace claims to assert sovereignty and manage regional security dynamics.
Belt and Road Initiative: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy initiated by China in 2013 that aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration through infrastructure investment and trade. By building a network of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure across Asia, Europe, and Africa, the BRI seeks to promote trade routes and foster economic growth while extending China's influence on the global stage.
Counter-terrorism: Counter-terrorism refers to the strategies and measures adopted by states and organizations to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism and its underlying causes. It encompasses a wide range of actions, including military operations, intelligence gathering, law enforcement activities, and diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing terrorist threats and ensuring national security.
Cyber sovereignty: Cyber sovereignty refers to the principle that a state has the authority to govern its own cyberspace without external interference, emphasizing control over the internet and digital resources within its borders. This concept highlights the importance of national security, political stability, and cultural integrity in the digital realm, allowing governments to establish regulations, censorship, and surveillance mechanisms to protect their interests.
Dual-track approach: The dual-track approach is a policy strategy adopted by China that combines economic reform with political control, allowing for market-oriented changes while maintaining the authority of the Communist Party. This approach has been instrumental in China's rapid economic growth while simultaneously ensuring that the party retains power and influence over the political landscape.
Maritime security: Maritime security refers to the measures taken to protect the safety and security of the world's oceans and seas, including the prevention of piracy, trafficking, and other illicit activities. It encompasses the safeguarding of maritime trade routes, naval operations, and the protection of marine resources and ecosystems. Understanding maritime security is crucial in addressing regional tensions and international disputes, particularly in areas with overlapping territorial claims and strategic shipping lanes.
Minimum deterrence strategy: A minimum deterrence strategy is a military doctrine that relies on maintaining a small, but credible nuclear arsenal to deter adversaries from attacking. This approach emphasizes the idea that possessing enough nuclear weapons to ensure mutual destruction is sufficient to prevent conflict, rather than aiming for a larger stockpile of weapons. The strategy reflects a focus on cost-effective security and the belief that a limited arsenal can still effectively dissuade aggression.
Nine-dash line: The nine-dash line is a demarcation line used by China to outline its claims over a significant portion of the South China Sea, encompassing an area rich in natural resources and strategic maritime routes. This claim is represented by a series of dashes on maps and has been a source of intense regional tensions, involving disputes with neighboring countries and raising questions about international law and sovereignty.
No First Use Policy: The No First Use Policy is a nuclear weapons policy that asserts a state will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict. This doctrine aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war by promoting restraint and discouraging the initiation of hostilities that could escalate into nuclear exchanges. By committing to this policy, a state signals its intention to use nuclear weapons only in response to a nuclear attack, thus emphasizing a defensive posture.
Non-interference principle: The non-interference principle is a core aspect of China's foreign policy that emphasizes respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations, advocating against external intervention in a country's internal affairs. This principle reflects China's commitment to a multipolar world where states operate independently without foreign meddling, influencing its approach to regional and international security issues, as well as its diplomatic relationships.
North Korea nuclear crisis: The North Korea nuclear crisis refers to the ongoing geopolitical tensions arising from North Korea's development and testing of nuclear weapons, which began in the late 20th century and intensified in the 21st century. This crisis has significant implications for regional stability in East Asia and global security, particularly concerning China's role as a neighboring power and its strategic interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and furthering efforts towards disarmament. It establishes a framework for global nuclear governance by classifying states into nuclear-armed nations and non-nuclear-armed nations, encouraging cooperation in peaceful nuclear technology while working to limit the number of states that develop nuclear weapons.
P5 Process: The P5 Process refers to the diplomatic and strategic interactions among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This process is critical in shaping international security dynamics, as it involves negotiations and agreements on global security issues, nuclear disarmament, and conflict resolution.
Peace Mission Series: The Peace Mission Series refers to a series of multilateral military exercises and cooperation initiatives led by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), aimed at enhancing regional security and promoting stability among member states. This series demonstrates China's commitment to collective security and its strategic approach to addressing regional conflicts, counterterrorism, and security cooperation in Central Asia and beyond.
Peaceful rise: Peaceful rise refers to China's strategy of growing its economic and political influence in the world without resorting to military aggression or conflict. This approach emphasizes cooperation, dialogue, and multilateralism, aiming to promote stability and development both regionally and globally while addressing concerns from other countries regarding China's expanding power.
Regional anti-terrorist structure: A regional anti-terrorist structure refers to a collaborative framework among countries in a specific region aimed at combating terrorism through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated policies. This framework often involves multilateral agreements and institutions that facilitate cooperation between member states to enhance regional security and stability against terrorist threats.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a major free trade agreement that was signed in November 2020, involving 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and members of the ASEAN group. RCEP aims to enhance trade and economic integration by reducing tariffs, improving market access, and setting common standards among member countries. Its significance lies in its potential to reshape regional supply chains and bolster economic relations among major powers in the Asia-Pacific.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001, primarily involving China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations. It aims to promote regional stability, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among its member states while addressing common security threats such as terrorism and extremism.
Six-party talks: The six-party talks were a series of multilateral negotiations aimed at resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, involving six countries: North Korea, South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. These talks sought to create a diplomatic solution to North Korea's nuclear weapons program while addressing regional security concerns and fostering cooperation among the participating nations.
South China Sea Disputes: The South China Sea disputes refer to the ongoing territorial and maritime claims involving multiple countries in the South China Sea, primarily centered on strategic shipping lanes, fishing rights, and potential undersea resources. These disputes highlight regional tensions, particularly between China and its neighbors like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, while also drawing attention from global powers due to implications for international trade and security.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is an international treaty that aims to eliminate nuclear weapons and prevent their proliferation. Adopted in July 2017, it represents a significant global effort towards disarmament, emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the need for a legally binding framework to prohibit their use and possession.