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Revisiting C hina's Use of Force in A sia: Dynamic, Level and Beyond *
Author(s) -
Sun Xuefeng,
Huang Yuxing
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pacific focus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.172
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1976-5118
pISSN - 1225-4657
DOI - 10.1111/j.1976-5118.2012.01089.x
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , use of force , economics , political science , law , geography , international law , archaeology
In the context of C hina's rapid rise, scholars still debate heatedly and always make contrasted predictions on C hina's use of force. This article seeks to identify the determining factors of a rising C hina's use of force and its varying levels. Since the establishment of the P eople's R epublic of C hina in 1949, C hina's use of force has been shaped by its high external vulnerabilities. They consist of two major security concerns: the homeland encirclement by superpowers and the increasing support from the outside to domestic splitting factions. Consistency in C hina's use of force can be explained by the legitimacy of the party involved and the regional power position in E ast A sia. The level of the use of force has been determined by C hina's relative capability to its adversaries. Specifically, C hina will use high levels of force, such as wars or lengthy conflicts, if it enjoys the favorable relative capability. On the contrary, C hina will use low levels of force, such as blockade, artillery attacks and very short combats, if the opposite is true. Based on these findings and current regional trends in E ast A sia, the authors are optimistic about C hina's non‐use of force in T aiwan and territorial or maritime disputes in E ast A sia over the next decade.