China's Rise to Power: Revitalizing the Ties with the Republic of the Philippines to meet 21st Century Security Interests
Abstract
In this emerging, multi-polarized, and complicated Asian security environment, one way the United States (US) can balance the Chinese rise to global power and counter Chinese anti-access, or area-denial strategies, is to utilize the four elements of national power to strengthen the relationship with the Philippines and this strong relationship will maintain an acceptable balance of power in the region. Discussion: The manner in which China has rapidly risen to power over the past few decades with its growing middle class and its systemic modernization of military capabilities has certainly evolved since the Qing dynasty with its Confucian ideologies. In Chinese Mandarin, the common language of China, China literally means the "Middle Kingdom." In 1989, after the fall of the Soviet Union, which left underdeveloped countries scrambling to adapt to a US dominated global free-market economic system, China has transformed its ideologies in the pursuit of its ultimate destiny as the center of the universe', Moreover, China's expansive military buildup and modernization program that the Pentagon's 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) identified as putting "regional military balances at risk," only exacerbates the potential for conflict in the region. A closer look at current events reveals that China's global quest for oil, trade, and the balance of their currency are three areas of potential economic conflict that could lead to a military conflict in the future. China has the potential to test the US commitment towards Taiwanese sovereignty, if China so chooses to invade, or the US commitment to the Philippines if China once again attempts to usurp control of the Spratly Islands. In general, China's leaders have remained quiet, elusive, and deceptive about their future desires while patiently observing the dominance of the United States military over the past 20 years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA508999
Entities
People
- Keith H. Topel
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command