Aim and importance of the proposal
This research proposal is critical in the sense that it seeks to highlight the reasons behind China’s military transformation in the recent past. The meteoric rise of China’s military might affect the equation for the US on whether the country will maintain its military presence in East Asia, despite traditionally using its military prowess to enhance its foreign affairs policy. This paper also largely analyses the driving force behind China’s hard power and how Asia and Pacific’s balance of power have been affected as a result of China’s military might.
Theoretical Framework
Modernisation of China’s military has been spurred by domestic reforms in the country. The reforms have freed the economy of China from the traditional centralised control of economy (Tellis, 2012, para 50). The domestic reforms have resulted in China achieving an average double-digit growth for close to 30 years. This has consequently catapulted the country into becoming the second largest economy globally (Tellis, 2012, para 51).
Modernisation of China’s defence forces is particularly driven by the need for the country to emerge as a major global power and outdo the influence enjoyed by the US. The US is currently the only superpower in the world and it uses its military might to influence its foreign policy and relations. China is already exerting its power and might by engaging in regional matters. For instance, China is already engaging in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as participating in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) (Chen & Feffer, 2009, p. 47).
China’s use of hard power is aimed at solving the territorial disputes that it is engaged in. The country has engaged in a series of territorial disputes in both East China Sea and South China Sea (Weissmann, 2010, p. 35). China is depending on its modernised military to help solve the conflicts. China realises that it has to match or outdo the US in military prowess for it to succeed in its mission as a global power. This is the main reason behind the country’s employment of hard power. For instance, China’s conflict with Taiwan has been exacerbated by the involvement of the US and the insistence of the US that Taiwan is an independent territory.
The balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region has been influenced by China’s modernisation of its military. There are regional military realignments that are currently taking place as a result of these changes (Lee, 2002, p. 549). Although the US remains as the region’s preeminent power, China is creating challenges as a result of its powerful position. Taiwan remains to be a strong ally of the US by virtue of its territorial conflict with China (Kan & Morrison, 2013, p. 3). However, China has moved to curtail the influence of the US through the use of its soft power over other countries that are perceived to be in good relations with the US in the region. Such countries include the Philippines and South Korea.
Tentative central argument
Military power plays an important role in enabling countries to position themselves strategically, especially when seeking to protect their global interests. Strong military might enables countries to enhance their influence in aspects such as trade, territorial protection, as well as sovereignty disputes. China’s military power is being driven by the need to curtail the global influence of the US. China’s influence begins with the Asia-Pacific region where it participates directly in seeking solutions to some of the issues that affect the region.
The structure and plan of the project
- The objective of modernising China’s military.
- To enhance the global position and ability of the country to front and protect its foreign policy and create trade for its goods and services.
- Drivers behind China’s employment of hard power; for instance, the issue of Taiwan.
- China’s growth and emergence as a global military powerhouse has not been received well by the US. The country always finds itself in a collision course with the US whenever such issues of interest come to the fore. This is not necessary for war purposes between the two countries, but China seeks to stamp its authority as a heavyweight to be respected by the US.
- Changes in the Asia-Pacific balance of power.
- China’s rise as a military powerhouse has affected the US political alignment in the region. China is keen on developing close ties with all countries in the region in order to reduce the influence of the US in the region. The US mainly relies on Japan as a close partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Conclusion
Initial findings depict that China’s objective in strengthening its military power is mainly to enhance and sustain its foreign policy. Military power helps a country to influence other countries in as far as foreign policies are concerned. China is competing with the US in seeking to influence its policy across the borders. Additionally, China has territorial conflicts that it seeks to settle using its strong position and the military might it has built. These developments are causing military realignments in the Asia-Pacific region as China is keen on reducing the influence of the US in the region.
List of References
Chen, S & Feffer, J 2009, ‘China’s military spending: soft rise or hard threat?’ Asian Perspective, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 47-67.
Kan, SA & Morrison, WM 2013, ‘U.S.-Taiwan relationship: overview of policy issues’, CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress, Web.
Lee, J 2002, ‘China’s expanding maritime ambitions in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean’, Contemporary Southeast Asia, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 549-568.
Tellis, AJ 2012, Uphill challenges: China’s military modernization and Asian security, Web.
Weissmann, M 2010, ‘The South China Sea conflict and Sino-Asean relations: a study in conflict prevention and peace building’, Asian Perspective, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 35-69.