Rebalancing Asia : The Belt and Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Strategy

This book explores the struggle between China and the United States to expand their influence in Asia through economic assistance and defensive alliances. It brings together the diverse viewpoints of scholars from various countries on how Asian countries will exploit this geo-strategic competition to pursue their national interests, while also balancing their relations with the two great powers. The book offers a valuable asset for all those who have an interest in great power politics and international relations, especially academics, policymakers and security experts. Rebalancing Asia Acknowledgement Contents Editors and Contributors Abbreviations 1 Rebalancing Asia: Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) Evolution of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) in Foreign Policy References 2 Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision: In Overcoming the Geostrategic Dilemma Introduction Foundation of Japan’s FOIP Vision and Its Development Risks Associated with Japan’s Ongoing Efforts in Pursuing Its FOIP Overcoming the Geostrategic Dilemma Take on Additional Security Roles as an Indispensable Ally of the U.S. Develop a Legitimate, Inclusive and Non-Security-Oriented Initiative Seek an Influential Role as a “Middle” Power Conclusion References 3 China’s Geopolitical, Geoeconomic and Geostrategic Gameplay in the Indian Ocean Region Introduction Understanding the Link Between Geoeconomics and Geopolitics Background The Geoeconomic Gameplay The Geostrategic Gameplay The Geopolitical Gameplay Military Involvement The Future of Such Gameplays Conclusion References 4 Connectivity, Cooperation and Collaboration: China-South Asia Partnerships Under the Scientific Belt & Road Initiative Introduction Conundrums for the “New-Commons” Ancient Silk Road: Origins of the Common Challenges To Be Connected: Innovation Key for Living S&T Cooperation: Invisible, but in Great Need Innovative Collaboration: Wisdom of Collective Conclusion References 5 Spatial Conquest by Other Means: Assessing the Geopolitical Impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative World Politics at a Crossroads Deterritorialization and Transnationalization Under Globalization The Belt and Road Initiative: An Emerging New Order? China’s Meta-Strategy Through Spatial Conquest Belt and Road Initiative: An Ideology to Maintain Domestic Order Belt and Road Initiative: A Novel Spatial Security Arrangement Re-bundling Territoriality: BRI and New World Politics Beyond Borders: Identity of the Heart References 6 Europe and the US-China Confrontation in the Indo-Pacific Introduction Strategic Importance of Indo-Pacific Region for the European Union Europe: A Reluctant Partner in BRI The EU-Asia Connectivity Plan: An Alternative or a Complementary Project to the BRI? Conclusion References 7 Opportunities for New Trend of Labour Mobility from Vietnam as a Result of Doi Moi, ASEAN Connectivity and Belt and Road Initiative Introduction ASEAN Connectivity and Limitations in Labour Mobility Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Vocational Training in Vietnam Conclusion References 8 BRI and the Indo-Pacific: Narratives of Traders and Warriors on the Silk Road Introduction BRI: A Politics of Routes ASEAN & the China’s Reluctance of Endorsing the Term Indo-Pacific BRI and the Relative Undermining of Japan India and China and the Struggle for the Indian Ocean Conclusion References 9 CPEC: The Buckle in China’s BRI Introduction The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Advantages for Pakistan Regional Reality Estimation References 10 China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Its Concerns for India Introduction Evolution of Perceptions India’s Concerns India’s Responses Conclusion References 11 China’s Maritime Ambition in South Asia vis-à-vis Bangladesh: A Concern for India? Introduction Importance of Maritime Zone in Global Politics China’s Idea of Maritime Ambition Indian Ocean Region and Strategic Importance of the Bay of Bengal Why China Needs Indian Ocean Region India and Indian Ocean China’s Interest in South Asian Countries: Threading a “String of Pearls” China’s Investments in Bangladesh Conclusion References 12 China and the BRI: Challenges and Opportunities for Southeast Asia Introduction Southeast Asia and the BRI: A Chinese Perspective The Unraveling of the BRI in Southeast Asia A Long Way Ahead for the BRI References 13 BRI Manifesting the Rise of an Eastern Civilizational State and Its Implication to the World Unprecedented Change Since 500 Years: What the Revival of China Means to the World BRI and IPS: Opening of a New Era Versus Attempt to Restore the Old Zero-Sum Game Conclusion References 14 Sitting on the Fence? Australia’s Balancing of the Belt and Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Strategy in the New Multipolar World System Introduction Russia’s Development of the Far East The BRI Can Connect Darwin to Vladivostok Australia’s Role in the IPS Australia, India, Japan and the IPS Conclusion References 15 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS): Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka Introduction BRI and Sri Lanka Geopolitical Implications Related to BRI IPS and Sri Lanka Conclusion References 16 Go South Towards the Indo-Pacific: Taiwan, Korea and Japan’s Policy Response Against the BRI Introduction China Rising and the Belt and Road Initiative Taiwan, Korea and Japan Go South Taiwan: New Southbound Policy South Korea: New Southern Policy Japan: Indo-Pacific Strategy and Southern Policy Challenges to Going South China Factor US Foreign Policy Domestic Politics Conclusion References 17 The US and the Indo-Pacific: Trump’s Policy Towards the Region Dr. Kimberley Anne Nazareth Introduction US-Policy Towards the Asia–Pacific The Trump Administration and the Indo-Pacific All Politics is Local: IPS and US Internal Politics The US Allies and IPS: Rhetoric and Action Assessment of the Trump’s Policy References 18 Belt and Road Initiative Versus Indo-Pacific Strategy: Increasing US-China Strategic Distrust Introduction US Perceptions of BRI Potential Opportunities and Challenges of BRI Chinese Perceptions of Indo-Pacific Strategy Potential Opportunities and Challenges of IPS Growing Strategic Competition in Sino–US Relation Conclusion References