China's Rising Maritime Strategy: Implications for its Territorial Disputes

Abstract

One strong signal that the Chinese Communist Party's 18th National Congress in November 2012 sent to the international society was that China is to include building a sea power as its national strategy. What followed was the establishment of new governmental maritime sectors to strengthen the governance on ocean and sea affairs. Meanwhile, China greatly increased its budget for navy development and deployment, as demonstrated by the aircraft carrier commissioned. History warns that China faces much greater threats from the sea than from the land. China drew the lesson from its historical humiliation of Opium War era that it must become a strong sea power to cope with the external threats. China's expanded geopolitical interests and increasing demand for energy also request the nation to strengthen its control over the sea chains. The territorial disputes over the islands reemerged when China becomes more assertive and claims more for maritime interests. China's assertive stance on the maritime territorial disputes is in the interests of its national maritime strategy. It is predictable that China will continue to expand its sea power in years to come. The territorial disputes in the seas will thus become more complicated in the near future. China's rising maritime strategy does pose great challenges to the regional stability and peace, but it does not need necessarily lead to conflicts with its neighbors. China needs more cooperation and conversation with the other stakeholders in order to consolidate the foundation of peace and stability in sea.