Great Power Competition: Shifting Maritime Power Dynamics between China and the US in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

This research aims to explore how China’s naval expansion and modernization have altered the maritime balance of power in the Western Pacific due to China’s blue-water naval capabilities including anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD), advanced surface combatants, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines supplemented by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Maritime Silk Road (MSR), aiming to secure energy supplies and extend China’s zone of influence. The US Navy deems China’s activities to contest the US-oriented ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP) Strategy and seeks to maintain freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) to maintain a free, open and rules-based order. Methodologically, this research employs a qualitative content analysis of strategic documents, including China’s Defense White Paper, US Indo-Pacific Strategy and academic literature. In conclusion, the US-led alignments, the Quad and AUKUS, underscore the need to shelter a balanced maritime order and offset China’s rising influence. RIMPAC, Malabar and Sea Dragon are naval drills enhancing interoperability and reconnaissance, simultaneously provoking countermeasures from China. This study recommends that the security of the Pacific centers on the ability of both powers to maintain stability, free navigation and adherence to international law. China and the US should conduct regular negotiations to prevent escalations.