China’s dream to become a global maritime power is a controversial element of China’s global growth. Its expansion of maritime lines has been influenced by internal needs and external trends. The expansion has alarmed the world and raised the uncertainty about China’s potential to become the world maritime power in mid- 21st century. Despite the continuous debates on the risks associated with China’s global maritime expansion, little attention was paid to the Chinese literature, culture, and understanding of being a global maritime power.
This presentation analyzes China’s thinking, planning, and constructing of its maritime power. It looks at the geopolitical, commercial, and military application of China’s maritime strategy to become a world power with its celebration of 100 anniversary of the PRC. Internal needs, such as sovereignty threats, energy security, and growing population have pushed China to expand its maritime lines and achieve its grand dream. However, external trends such as destabilized commercial lines, great power competition and external perceptions hindered the process of achieving its dream. An eclectic realist-constructivist assessment of Chinese global maritime accounts is adopted. Whether China has been categorized as a No. 2 or a No. 1 Sea Power, it has been focused on achieving a speedy maritime power’s growth. It aims to construct a new modality of increasing involvement overseas, expanding deterrence lines, and securing wider oceanic checkpoints. Whether it is re-imposing the traditional unipolarity or co-shouldering the international maritime responsibility is looked at.

Authors:
Najla Alzarooni, Trends Research and Advisory, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Najla AlZarooni is a Senior Non-Resident Researcher for the Trends Research and Advisory Council in the UAE, China Center at Lancaster University in the UK and the Consortium for Area Studies of Beijing International Studies University in China.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/najla-alzarooni-20bb33148/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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