3.6.3

Opportunities

Soldiers of the Chinese PLA

China’s expanding defence and security engagement beyond the first island chain is not defined by abrupt shifts or overt confrontation. Its significance lies instead in the steady accumulation of presence and access across the South-West Pacific, Australia’s maritime approaches and the Indian Ocean. Over time, this accumulation will continue to reshape the strategic environment in ways that are difficult to reverse.

This approach reflects a broader strategic objective: to weaken the position of the United States and its partners, and to shape a regional order that is more accommodating of China’s interests. Defence and security engagement is a central instrument in this effort. It is used to build access, apply pressure and, over time, shape the rules, norms and behaviours that govern regional security. Several important implications stand out:

Responding to China's regional ambitions

Regional and global militaries face challenges and dangers in standing up to China’s increasingly aggressive military tactics. Many countries understand that the benefits of a rules-based international order outweigh the costs and are committed to trying to protect rules and norms that have underpinned regional prosperity for decades. However, to date, few actions have slowed or abated China’s momentum in seeking to reshape that regional order.

Since 2013, the PRC has conducted large-scale land reclamation and established several military installations in the South China Sea. Its military has increased its presence and exercises around Taiwan, and there have been a growing number of military incursions into the sovereign territory and exclusive jurisdiction of others. As this website demonstrates, there are now regular reports of unsafe maritime and air incidents.

Below are three policy options that would assist militaries in pushing back against Xi’s ambitions to reshape the regional order in China’s favour.

Responding to China's regional ambitions

Regional and global militaries face challenges and dangers in standing up to China’s increasingly aggressive military tactics. Many countries understand that the benefits of a rules-based international order outweigh the costs and are committed to trying to protect rules and norms that have underpinned regional prosperity for decades. However, to date, few actions have slowed or abated China’s momentum in seeking to reshape that regional order.

Since 2013, the PRC has conducted large-scale land reclamation and established several military installations in the South China Sea. Its military has increased its presence and exercises around Taiwan, and there have been a growing number of military incursions into the sovereign territory and exclusive jurisdiction of others. As this website demonstrates, there are now regular reports of unsafe maritime and air incidents.

Below are three policy options that would assist militaries in pushing back against Xi’s ambitions to reshape the regional order in China’s favour.

Responding to China's regional ambitions

Regional and global militaries face challenges and dangers in standing up to China’s increasingly aggressive military tactics. Many countries understand that the benefits of a rules-based international order outweigh the costs and are committed to trying to protect rules and norms that have underpinned regional prosperity for decades. However, to date, few actions have slowed or abated China’s momentum in seeking to reshape that regional order.

Since 2013, the PRC has conducted large-scale land reclamation and established several military installations in the South China Sea. Its military has increased its presence and exercises around Taiwan, and there have been a growing number of military incursions into the sovereign territory and exclusive jurisdiction of others. As this website demonstrates, there are now regular reports of unsafe maritime and air incidents.

Below are three policy options that would assist militaries in pushing back against Xi’s ambitions to reshape the regional order in China’s favour.

China’s excessive claims and sensitive areas