The pursuit of influence: analyzing the geopolitics of contemporary Chinese foreign policy in relation to the South China sea disputes and its effects on ASEAN and the Greater Asia Pacific region

Abstract

This paper revisits the debate about foreign policy implications of Chinese nationalism in the context of China's increasingly confrontational and assertive behavior in recent years, with regards to the South China Sea and the surrounding region. ASEAN states have been particularly troubled by recent events and China’s increasing aggressiveness coupled with the opacity of Chinese politics. This strident turn can be partially attributed to the Chinese government being increasingly responsive to public opinion, which is caused by increasing social, economic and political tensions domestically. Moreover, the increasingly active role being played by the United States in the region, in part as a response to Chinese expansion, has also troubled Beijing, which sees the region as part of its sphere of influence. The situation is further complicated with the addition of third party regional actors such as Japan and India, who are involved in separate territorial and political disputes with China as well. While most of the ASEAN states have welcomed America as a counterweight against a growing China, their economies have become increasingly dependent upon China in recent years and most of them do not want to be a party to any potential conflict between these two giants.