Asian State Responses to China's Space Power Strategy
Abstract
Chinas rise as a space power has coincided with its quest for hegemony in the Indo-Pacific. Advances in Chinas space capabilities constitute a threat to regional states national security, economic competitiveness, and national prestige. Accordingly, regional space powers have revised their strategies to better compete with China. This thesis examines Japans, Indias, and Vietnams renewed approaches to space power and space security amidst Chinas rise. Shifts in military, commercial, and civil space policy are examined among the selected case studies. This thesis finds that Asian states are departing from historical norms by employing militarized space assets to counter the security threat from China. They are also allowing the private sector to play a larger role in their commercial space industry to improve efficiency, innovative capacity, and diplomatic outreach. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as investments in techno-nationalist space-science projects, also supplement the renewed soft-power response to Chinese space diplomacy. This thesis presents policy prescriptions for the United States to capitalize on the increasing degree of alignment among regional space powers strategic interests. Recommendations include enhanced military-to-military relations, relaxation of commercial restrictions, and increased cooperation in civil space to balance against China.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1080404
Entities
People
- Benjamin T. Smart
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School