The Global Rise of China and Asia : Impact and Regional Response

This book posits an alternative narrative to China’s rise by focusing on its impact on Asia. China’s rapid rise as a multidimensional power is felt in all corners of the world and poses a direct challenge to the supremacy of the United States, which has held the status of a primary superpower ever since the end of the Cold War. For the most part, Asian countries want to avoid being dragged into this great power rivalry, preferring to adopt a more balanced and pragmatic approach. While a recognition of China’s greatness does not necessarily place states in a subservient position, the author argues that the most prudent approach for Asian nations is to avoid being caught in the middle of the US-China rivalry, as this allows them to derive benefits from both sides. Preface Acknowledgements Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: Contextualising China The Chinese Model: Worthy of Export? Putting China in Perspective Salient Point—China’s Internal Dynamics The Democracy Debate in China Defining Chinese Aspirations: Xi Jinping’s ‘The China Dream’ Salient Point—Regional and Global Dimensions Chapter 2: Examining China’s History: Bringing the Past into the Future The Return of Chinese Civilisation The Making of the Middle Kingdom The Raison D’être of the Middle Kingdom The Pinnacle of Imperial Power The Beginning of the End for the Middle Kingdom Chapter 3: The Multidimensional Elements of Chinese Power: An Assessment Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese Economic Revolution China: Towards a Multidimensional Global Power Epitome of China’s Global Economic Power: The Belt and Road Initiative An Overview of BRI What Is the BRI? Financing BRI: Some Misconceptions Timeframe What Can We Make of the BRI? Towards a Global Military Power Power Projection Military Diplomacy Military Power and Potential Conflicts Taiwan South China Sea An Assessment of China’s Military Power Engaging in Soft Power: Challenging Western Cultural and Social Dominance China’s Discursive Power China Exercising Great Power Status Chapter 4: Evaluating the China Threat: Between Perceived and Real A Historical Overview of the Use of China’s Military Power Annexation of Tibet Crossing the Yalu River Fighting the Indians Clashes with the Soviets Chinese Involvements in Wars of National Liberation Losing to the Vietnamese Keeping Taiwan Under Control Other Interventions Making Sense of the China Threat Narrative The China Threat Beyond Force Chapter 5: Regional Perceptions Towards China: Safeguarding Interests Northeast Asia: Too Close to Call Japan: Going Beyond Historical Animosity China in Between North and South Korea Cross-Straits Relations and the China Threat Southeast Asia: Between History and Today’s Economic Reality Vietnam and China: On the Horns of a Dilemma The Philippines: Ambivalence Towards China Indonesia: Being Pragmatic Singapore: Deriving Benefits from All Sides Malaysia: Economic Imperatives over Security Concerns Chinese Violation of Malaysian Air Space Going Beyond East Asia The China Threat: An Overall Assessment Chapter 6: Conclusion: Balancing Between Domestic and International Imperatives Select Bibliography Index