Shaping the Future: Security Cooperation to Shape Chinese Diplomacy in the South Pacific
Abstract
After significant US withdrawal from the South Pacific due to decreasing resources and Global War on Terror (GWOT) reprioritization, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has drastically increased engagement in the South Pacific to redefine spheres of influence and increase China's comprehensive national power (CNP) in order to secure the PRC's future preeminence. Employing political and economic leverage over vulnerable South Pacific states, China has sought theater-strategic advantage in ways that undermine US security objectives and potentially threaten US access and freedom of maneuver. This paper examines PRC engagement patterns and practices in the South Pacific and demonstrates how China exploits the weakened institutions of vulnerable states in much the same way transnational threats do. This paper then argues that USPACOM must develop a "comprehensive approach" to SC, aligned with current Stability Operations doctrine, to successfully counter and shape Chinese diplomacy in the South Pacific in order to protect US interests and avoid further erosion of US influence and access.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494286
Entities
People
- Joseph A. Craft
Organizations
- Naval War College