The struggle for power and China-US relations in the South China Sea

Tudose, Razvan-Paul

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2017

89

Dette speciale undersøger magtkampen, der præger relationerne mellem Kina og USA i det Sydkinesiske Hav. Motiveret af konfliktens kompleksitet og særlige karakter spørger det, hvor langt parterne vil gå for at indgå kompromiser eller eskalere, når interesser og opfattelser kolliderer. Studiet skitserer først sagens baggrund – havområdets kendetegn, Kinas og USA’s regionale strategier og den bredere tilstand i de bilaterale relationer. Dernæst analyseres en perceptionskløft med afsæt i realistiske forståelser af suverænitet og henvisninger til UNCLOS, Kinas stigende magt og handlekraft vurderes gennem neo- og defensiv realisme samt magtbalance- og sikkerhedsdilemma-begreber, og begge parters kerneinteresser i området kortlægges. I diskussionsafsnittet anvendes en enkel spilteoretisk model til at belyse mulige strategier og fremtidige samspil. Ved at sammenholde disse spor identificerer specialet ligheder og forskelle i de to tilgange for at karakterisere relationernes tilstand og de vigtigste drivkræfter. Konkrete resultater fremgår ikke af de udleverede sider; de opsummeres i den fulde konklusion.

This thesis examines the power struggle shaping China–US relations in the South China Sea. Motivated by the dispute’s complexity and unique features, it asks how far each side is willing to compromise or escalate when interests and perceptions collide. It first maps the background—the sea’s characteristics, China’s and the United States’ regional strategies, and the broader state of bilateral ties. It then analyzes a perception gap using realist notions of sovereignty and references to UNCLOS, assesses China’s rising power and assertiveness through neorealist and defensive realist lenses alongside balance-of-power and security dilemma concepts, and evaluates both sides’ core interests in the area. A discussion section employs a simple game-theoretic model to explore likely strategies and future interaction patterns. Bringing these strands together, the thesis identifies similarities and differences in the two approaches to characterize the state of the relationship and its key drivers. Specific findings are not included in the provided pages; they are summarized in the full conclusion.

[This summary has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project (PDF)]

Power Struggle ; China-US relations ; Strategic Interests ; the South China Sea

Download
View record in AAU Student Projects