Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Using oceans to exert influence - Coggle Diagram
Using oceans to exert influence
Using oceans for influence
countries have long argued that their ships can sail freely across seas
UNCLOS set areas of International Law EEZs have not been straightforward
In areas these zones are challenged/disputed e.g. Arctic South China Sea
gaining naval power is important for political and economic ambitions (stability, security and trade)
naval power is significant element of Superpower to preserve or expand their influence and these are growing e.g. USA, China, Russia & India
hard vs soft power
A new string of pearls
A new naval base in West Africa (Equatorial Guinea):
China will dominate the Atlantic as it prepares to build bases for subs and warships across Africa, warns top US general
regardless of the outcome of possible PLA base in Equatorial Guinea, China will continue to increase its global military influence
it will almost certainly establish additional overseas military facilities and access points and its ability to project power will expend
China & India: Influence and conflict
China and India are dependent on energy resources transported via the secure sealanes in the Indian Ocean to fuel their economies.
China's growing global influence and India's rapid economic rise have heightened the ocean's strategic value
India imports nearly 80% of its energy, mostly oil from the Middle East
84% of China's imported energy resources passed through Strait of Malacca from the Indian Ocean
The US' rebalance to Asia-shifting from a foreign policy dominated by the Middle East to one more centred on Asia-has also been a contributing factor elevating concern over Indian Ocean security.
Diverse security challenges affect the region ranging from natural disasters to concerns over energy security, piracy, and military posturing
India's necklace of diamonds
strategy to 'encircle' China by expanding naval bases and is also improving relations with a strategically placed countries to counter China's strategies
Iran, Chabohor port, $8b by India
Oman, Daum port
Seychelles, naval base
Indonesia, deep water harbour, around 30x sea trade flows through this
Singapore, Changi port
QUAD alliance: India, Japan, Australia & US (SCS security)
Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)
China's string of pearls strategy
Based on authoritative Chinese statements, these latter missions cover five major areas:
1) the defence of China's sea lines of communication (SLOCs) to the Persian Gulf
2) countering limited maritime security threats such as piracy
3) UN-mandated peace-keeping missions
4) performing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs)
5) asserting in undefined ways China's overall status and image as a major world power
Why Djibouti?
prime location, access to the Red Sea and Bab El- Mandeb Straits (lots of oil via these choke points)
6 major bases: USA, Italy, Spain, France, Japan & China
Dijbouti has a GDP of <$1b, rent from the bases gives the country $300m a year
a new $3.5b free trade zone to be made, borrowed $957m from China to help finance these projects
China now has the world's largest navy:
since 2002, China has completed:
50 major surface combatants, including 1 carrier
22 destroyers, including 20 fitted with long-range air defense missles
29 missle frigates, including 27 fitted with medium-to-long-range air defence missiles
Nodes of influence:
Pakistan: Gwadar - economic collaboration project: China supplies with weapons
Djibouti: major base, anti-piracy/UN peacekeeping and humanitarian roles
Maldives: major army base, port partnership project, technical & financial assistance
Cocos-keeling Island Port: naval base
Coco Islands: naval base
Thailand: Kra Canal construction
Myanmar: military base - show of strength against India
Bangladesh: naval base
not all are finished e.g. Kra Canal
near Straits of Hormuz, Persian Gulf & Straits of Malacca
near oil shipping lanes e.g. Straits of Malacca 80% of China's oil transit
focused on increasing China's economic, military, diplomatic & political strength in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
every pearl refers to a sphere of power (node of influence), which China is trying to secure in the IOR, spreading its economic & security influence to improve regional connectivity building dependincies and alliances and easier access to global markets
Blue water navy
Concept:
having a fleet of ships which can function globally - often far from their home ports
China has many overseas bases allowing navy to operate further afield
Example:
U.S navy fleets
has 7 fleets
e.g. 5th fleet is its home port in Manama, Bahrain, (Middle East) where thousands are protesting
China's People Liberation Army Navy
(PLAN):
domestic bases in Qingao, Dinghai, Zhan Jiang, Vuhlin (Haihan Island)
China's coastline is 17,000km long
domestic bases covering north, south and central regions
China's home bases exert influence & defence out to the first island chain, from Kyushu (Japan) to Vietnam
in the event of war with Taiwan, ships in Eastern & Southern around island & northern ships to protect sea approaches to China
China's military power and spending changing
China's defense budget now over $200B
double digits increase since 2015
Chinas spending 4x more than India
not as much as the US ($716.2B)
2019, advanced international missile announced
hike in spending due to China's plan to catch up with US military by 2027
further strengthening South China Sea claim
China & USA competing for dominance