The Changing World Order and US-China Maritime Power Contestation in the Indo Pacific

Authors

  • Muhammad Zubair Cheema Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad
  • Lubna Sunawar Assistant Professor, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

The grand chess board of world geopolitics has effectively been dominated by the U.S since past
many decades, however, economic rise of China and resultant maritime power contestation with
US is rapidly changing the status-quo within Indo Pacific Region. The announcement of “Pivot to
Asia” followed by “Asia Rebalance” strategies by US President Obama and labelling of Asia Pacific
to a more focused “Indo-Pacific” by the President Trump clearly reflects U.S. strategic shift to the
region. To counter U.S. presence in Southeast Asia and address strategic maritime vulnerability of
her Sea Lines of Communications (particularly in South China Sea), China has embarked upon an
ambitious military modernization plan coupled with initiation of mega economic projects in Asia.
This research is focused on developing an understanding regarding the evolving and rapidly
changing maritime power contestation milieu between US and China, studied through the Realist
lens. It is an in-depth study of Chinese maritime vulnerability and adopted strategy to overcome it.
The research employs theoretical lens of Offensive Realism for studying the U.S national strategy
to retain stature of hegemon and Defensive Realist lens to study the adopted Chinese strategy to
ensure her steady rise and safeguarding its strategic maritime vulnerabilities.

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Published

2025-01-15