CSAG Strategy Paper: The Impact of China’s Expansionism on the Region and Global Security

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER
LTC Junghyok Kim, ROK Army (CSAG/CCJ5)
5 December 2024

 

Introduction:

Many argue China has become one of the world’s superpowers. However, China appears unwilling to fully assume responsibility for issues facing the world. Simply put, China seems more concerned with furthering its own interests than addressing the problems raging outside its boundaries. China promotes itself as neutral and appears to be weighing the threats and opportunities to its standing on events like the Israel-Hamas war, the Ukraine war, and Houthi strikes in the Red Sea. That said, China has continuously exerted its influence on global economic security over the decades with its rapid economic growth. In particular, it is obvious China is imposing its presence and expanding its influence in numerous forms such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the BRICS. In addition, it is improving its military capabilities funded by continuous economic growth and is exerting global influence by actively engaging in the provision of aid and arms sales. Furthermore, China has had serious impacts on matters related to sovereignty and the territorial integrity of neighboring countries such as the South China Sea countries, Taiwan, and Japan. This is concerning not just because it is an expansion of influence for a revisionist China, but also because their rapid rise is accelerating confusion and conflicts in the global security order.

This paper aims to highlight what China has been focusing on and explore possible future risks to the U.S. and USCENTCOM in China’s rapid expansionism. It also recommends actions that may be crucial to handle these disputes and difficulties.

 

Key Points:

• China has tried to expand its influence not only regionally but globally.
• Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has influenced many countries, notoriously, as a “debt trap” making them vulnerable to exploitation by China.
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has broadened to include countries that do not share borders with China.
• The U.S. might consider the implementation of an adjusted integrated deterrence strategy against China.
• To reduce the dangers of antagonistic strategic competition, the U.S. and China should work together in a cooperative manner.
• The U.S. should continue to maintain and/or strengthen its military alliances with regional partners.

 

Read the complete paper here.

View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic Analysis Group (CSAG) papers here.