Challenges to Freedom of the Seas and Maritime Rivalry in Asia
China’s New Maritime Silk Road policy poses geostrategic challenges and offers some opportunities for the US and its allies in Asia-Pacific. To offset China’s westward focus, the US seeks to create a global alliance strategy with the aim to maintain a balance of power in Eurasia, to avoid a strong Russia-China or China-EU partnership fostered on economic cooperation. For the EU, the ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) initiative by improving infrastructure may contribute to economic development in neighbouring countries and in Africa but present also risks in terms of unfair economic competition and increased Chinese domination. Furthermore, China’s behaviour in the South China Sea and rebuff of the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in July 2016, put the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at risk with possible consequences to freedom of the seas. Increasing relations with China could also affect EU-US relations at a time of China-US tension. To face these challenges, a stronger EU, taking more responsibility in Defence and Security, including inside NATO, is needed.
Análise aprofundada
Autor externo
Patrick HÉBRARD (Fondation pour la recherche stratégique - FRS, Paris, France)
Sobre este documento
Tipo de publicação
Domínio de intervenção
Palavra-chave
- América
- ANASE
- Austrália
- China
- CIÊNCIAS
- ciências humanas
- construção europeia
- contencioso territorial
- convenção ONU
- cooperação económica
- defesa
- DIREITO
- direito do mar
- direito internacional
- Estados Unidos
- GEOGRAFIA
- geografia económica
- geografia política
- geopolítica
- Japão
- navegação marítima
- organizações extra-europeias
- ORGANIZAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS
- política de cooperação
- política de defesa
- política externa
- política internacional
- política marítima
- relações da União Europeia
- RELAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS
- segurança internacional
- segurança regional
- transporte marítimo e fluvial
- TRANSPORTES
- UNIÃO EUROPEIA
- Ásia do Sul
- Ásia-Oceânia