Growing as a Sea Power: Development of China’s Maritime Security Strategy from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping (1978-2018)

Abstract

Historically, as a continental power, China was not an active player in maritime security, preferring to focus on coastal defence. However, in recent years, the Chinese government has begun to pursue more policies and measures to safeguard its maritime rights and interests, both in coastal waters and out at sea. Existing research has only analysed China’s maritime policies in limited aspects and restricted timeframes. It has therefore been unable to explain why China has developed its maritime security strategy from a passive and constrained to a proactive and assertive stance. This thesis provides an overview of the development of China’s maritime security strategy from 1978 to 2018, that is, from the era of Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping. The study examines how the strategy throughout these forty years is consistent with theories of international relations. It finds that the reason China’s maritime security strategy used to be more constrained was the lack of national capacity and limited interests in management of maritime issues. These factors also limited discussions around maritime security among domestic players. This constrained strategy is consistent with defensive realism and organization theory. Indeed, China has become more assertive in maritime security affairs since the state has increased its military capacity and assumed growing international responsibility as a rising international power. Increasingly, domestic players have urged the government to invest more resources in maritime security. As a result, China has undertaken more preventive measures to protect its maritime rights and interests. It aims to become a strong sea power. This proactive maritime security strategy is consistent with offensive realism, constructivism and organization theory. Overall, this research concludes that the development of China’s maritime security strategy has been dependent on the country’s national capacity, the maritime security threats it faces and its international responsibilities, as well as the encouragement of particular policies by domestic players. Considering these factors, China will likely continue to develop a more assertive maritime security strategy under Xi Jinping.