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Navigating the Security Dilemma: China, Vietnam, and the South China Sea
Navigieren des Sicherheitsdilemmas: China, Vietnam und der Süden
[journal article]
Abstract Competition and conflict in the South China Sea involves many nations due to its resources
and vital sea lanes. However, it is China which increasingly serves as a common denominator
of intensifying anxiety for its South China Sea maritime neighbours due to the aggressive
scope ... view more
Competition and conflict in the South China Sea involves many nations due to its resources
and vital sea lanes. However, it is China which increasingly serves as a common denominator
of intensifying anxiety for its South China Sea maritime neighbours due to the aggressive
scope of its claims to the sea and its islands. Among those states, Vietnam is most
affected as it is first in the path of Chinese ambitions – ambitions which authorities
fear would give China significant tactical military and economic advantage. For China,
there are similar fears over threats to the sea lanes and sea bed resources. Leaders
of both states also perceive their diplomatic and martial actions in the sea in historical
terms as well. However, enforcement actions taken by either state may lead to a worsening
security dilemma in which reactive security strategies could dangerously destabilise
relations. This article discusses the motivations and strategies of both states as
well as the consequences of such and applies realism, its tenets of defensive and
offensive realism, and neoliberalism to examine their security concerns and perceptions.
The article further proposes that the most valuable insights can be provided by defensive
realism and neoliberalism, which together can encourage security, cooperation and
conciliation in order to best promote the improvement of relations.... view less
Keywords
China; Vietnam; conflict; conflict management; strategy; security; security policy; pressure-group politics; Far East; developing country; Southeast Asia; Asia
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Method
descriptive study
Document language
English
Publication Year
2012
Page/Pages
p. 79-108
Journal
Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 31 (2012) 4
ISSN
1868-4882
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works