The role of sea power in China’s rise: is maritime conflict inevitable?

Abstract

This article seeks to further our understanding and conceptualization of sea power and its role in China’s foreign policy. It addresses the crux of a puzzle in the current International Relations literature, namely, how can the rise of Chinese sea power be a potential source for cooperation. It is argued that the analysis presented throughout this article, both in conceptualizing sea power and in its examination of Chinese capabilities, can further the case for the need and the possibility of reframing security through the idea of the defense of the system.