Today marks the release of ASP’s latest “Perspective” by Adjunct Junior Fellow Matthew Baker: “Counteracting Chinese Hegemony in the South China Sea.” The piece looks at China’s increased demands for energy and the impact it is have on geopolitics in the South China Sea.

This systematic discussion highlights the reasons for increased Chinese involvement in the region, and the diplomatic and military strategies being implemented satiate its economic demands.

The work notes:

“Chinese demand for natural gas is set to increase from 131.7bcm in 2011 to 375bcm in 2020. To satiate a rise in demand, the Chinese Government is looking to consolidate its claims in the South China Sea.”

The piece also focuses on the role the U.S. can play to help ameliorate tensions and solve territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a region with immense significance to the Asia-Pacific’s economic security:

“The U.S. currently acts as a strategic guarantor to smaller states in Southeast Asia and a counterweight to Chinese hegemony in the region.”

“China is America’s second largest trading partner with over $206 billion worth of goods being traded between the two countries up until May this year. ASEAN – which incorporates the remaining states with territorial disputes in the South China Sea plus other key trading partners such as Singapore – collectively became America’s fourth largest trading partner in 2010.”

To read this latest “ASP Perspective” in full, click here

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