Rise of China and its behaviours in the South China Sea: an analysis of defensive realism perspective

Abstract

With the continuous improvement of China's comprehensive national strength, international observers could find that China has become more assertive in dealing with its territorial disputes with its neighbours. The debate about whether China is a revisionist state in the balance of power in its regional affairs is a hot topic and the discussion about her disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) is a subset of this important topic. For Beijing's apex, the significance of the SCS does not need more elaboration because it concerns a series of Chinese interests, especially her national security. Based on the precondition about Chinese security, the article analyses China's behaviours in the SCS to prove that Beijing has not turned aggressive even though it has some so-called assertiveness in its recent actions. The article's purpose is to use defensive realism as an analysis framework to help people think about Beijing's shifting behaviours in territorial disputes, especially when power competition is one factor forming the situation. In investigating the specific cases, the study proves that China's activities in the SCS in recent years are based on self-defence after strength enhancement rather than the beginning of the aggression, especially regarding its regional security and territorial disputes.