ABSTRACT
Introduction With the rapid development of China’s maritime force, its maritime strategy has become the subject of many speculations. What is China’s intention in developing a maritime force? How will China employ its growing maritime force and what implications will it have for global maritime security? Will it be a threat, challenge, or a constructive force? Especially in recent years, as tensions between China and some of its neighbors over maritime issues have grown, China’s maritime security policy has been labeled as “aggressive,” “assertive,” “coercive,” or “revisionist.” Some experts even contend that China’s maritime strategy refl ects a fundamental shift in its foreign policy. 2 Other authors, however, have taken diff erent views and have argued that the Chinese government pursues defensive interests in the region and that its maritime eff orts have been a far cry away from presenting threats to anyone.
