ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that the central government increasingly prioritized maritime security through the emergence of developmental interests and comprehensive security; however, the strategic guidelines of "peaceful development" determined that the state had to act as a cooperative power, including its maritime security strategy. It illustrates that policy discussion on maritime security was divided into three distinctive schools of thoughts, making the strategic framework more extensive. The chapter presents the significant development in maritime defense and navigation capability, which laid the foundation for China to expand its maritime security policies. The influence of the harmonious school is also evident in another significant maritime security strategy development during Hu Jintao's era, namely, the introduction of governing policies to protect maritime rights and interests. To summarize, China's use of diplomacy in maritime security during Hu Jintao's era had become more comprehensive. The implementation of domestic policies signified China’s maritime security strategy was more extensive in the 2000s than previous decades.
