China
China’s Security Success Depends on Southeast Asia
Since the 1990s, China’s defense white papers have addressed regional security, particularly in Southeast Asia. Key conditions for success hinge on Southeast Asian domestic politics and China’s policies in the South China Sea.
Overview of China’s Security Initiatives
Since the 1990s, China’s defence white papers have highlighted various strategies to tackle regional security challenges. Initiatives such as Jiang Zemin’s new security concept and Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) particularly target Southeast Asia. This region is paramount for China’s national security due to its geographic closeness and role in the ongoing China–US competition.
The Importance of Regional Dynamics
While much analysis has centered on the motivations behind China’s security initiatives, there’s less focus on the conditions necessary for maintaining peace and stability, especially in the South China Sea. This area is vital for global trade and communication, making it essential to comprehend how China’s initiatives can effectively stabilize the region.
Southeast Asia’s Domestic Politics
The success of these initiatives largely depends on the domestic politics of Southeast Asian countries and their relationships with China regarding the South China Sea. Most nations in the region prioritize regime survival and economic prosperity. For example, Vietnam, after the collapse of communism in 1991, sought closer ties with China to ensure its regime security, collaborating on border delimitation and resolving disputes in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Source : China's security success conditional on Southeast Asia
