China\'s South China Sea Policy in the Post-Cold War Era: A Power Transition Perspective

• Main Authors: Hsiao, Yen-Ju, 蕭硯如
• Other Authors: Chiu, Kun-Shuan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/nsm2ea

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 外交學系 === 107 === Due to its natural resources and strategic geographical location, the South China Sea (SCS) has been a battleground and point of contention between China and Southeast Asian countries since the mid-20th century. As China has grown in strength it has also adjusted its SCS policy accordingly. In the 1980s Deng Xiaoping proposed his “28-character guidepost” advising that China should adopt a diplomatic strategy of keeping a low profile and biding its time. With regard to SCS issues, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long followed its guiding policy of shelving disputes and seeking common development, calling on relevant parties to deal with disputes in a cooperative manner to reduce the possibility of conflict. In this way it corresponds with the strategy of keeping a low profile and maintaining a stable and peaceful international environment in order to further China's economic development goals. In recent years however, a series of SCS incidents has aroused concern that China is moving away from its previously defensive and restrained policy to one of assertiveness and action. In addition, China has begun large-scale land reclamation and construction of military facilities in and around the Spratly/Nansha Islands, which indicates that China has already shifted from prioritizing stability to prioritizing stability while protecting their alleged rights. This article attempts to explore the reality of China's rise under the US-built international order in the post-Cold War era from the perspective of power transition. It also seeks to ascertain the causes behind the changes to the CCP’s SCS policy as the Chinese state has grown in power. Lastly, it is hoped that by examining China’s recent assertive measures and active construction in the SCS and the corresponding influence on regional order, we can better understand China’s revised intentions with regard to the regional status quo.