The Paradox of China in the Asia-Pacific Theatre

Abstract

In the Asia-Pacific region, China has emerged as the largest performer in many critical indices second only to the United States. Today China has become the second largest economy in the world, displacing Japan in 2010. Its gross domestic product of over $10 trillion is next only to the United States GDP of about $17 trillion. China also is next only to the US in terms of defence budget allocation and in 2014, China stated that it will spend an officially estimated figure of $132 billion. China is also the largest exporting country, displacing Germany in this role a few years ago. However, even though China has a mutually beneficial relationship with many Asia-Pacific countries, it is also involved in sovereignty and territorial disputes with Japan on Senkaku Islands, with Vietnam, Philippines and others on South China Sea islands, with India on the borders and the like. China claims Taiwan as well. As a part of its increasing profile in the Asia-Pacific region, it had unveiled several plans recently, including the 'two-ocean strategy', viz., the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. As the US President Obama has announced, in his first term, a 'rebalancing' strategy towards the Asia-Pacific region, China's role in the Asia-Pacific is being watched carefully by the international community.